1. It’s a Question of Numbers
Types of government

2. An-arch-y = belief that no one should rule (no government, no state)
Who rules? A: NONE
An-arch-y = belief that no one should rule (no government, no state)

3. In practice, sometimes chaos and violence
ANARCHY
In theory, everyone gets along and gets things done without any government
In practice, sometimes chaos and violence

4. Who rules? Q: ONE
Dictatorship = rule by one person (who usually takes over by force and rules without opposition)

5. “The Dictator”

6. Usually no freedom of speech
dictatorship
Usually only one party
Usually no freedom of speech
Usually doesn’t last

7. Mon-arch-y = rule by one person (a king or a queen)
Who rules? Q: ONE
Mon-arch-y = rule by one person (a king or a queen)

8. MONarchy Ruler “inherits” the rule from parents
In early times, considered God’s representative on earth
Sometimes combined with Constitution

9. Theo-crac-y = rule by religious leaders
Who rules? Q: A FEW
Theo-crac-y = rule by religious leaders

10. Society’s laws are based on holy book
theocracy
Society’s laws are based on holy book
Government leaders are also religious leaders

11. “Islamic” Islam is the religion of Muslims Islam means “submission”
If this term is included in the official title of the country, it is a good guess that at least part of the government in based on laws from a religious text (in this case The Koran)
theocracy

12. Oli-garch-y = rule a few (usually wealthy) people
Who rules? Q: A FEW
Oli-garch-y = rule a few (usually wealthy) people

13. Who rules? Q: MANY
Republic (representative demo-crac-y) = rule by the people (through representatives)

14. Of the United States of America
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE…
To the flag…
Of the United States of America
And to the republic for which it stands…

15. Constitution
A constitution is a written plan of government. We have one. Other countries have their own.
Usually it is a way to spell out exactly what the government can and can’t do in order to LIMIT their power
If your country’s constitution has been recently (or a lot), that may be an indicator that the government is not stable
A “constitutional monarchy” means they have a king or queen, but they also have a way of limiting the ruler’s power

16. Parliament In French to parley (parlez) means to speak
A Parliament is a place where people speak their minds and vote—in other words like a Congress
Our U.S. Congress is modeled after the British Parliament. It has two “houses” like the British
A “parliamentary” democracy (republic) means they have a law-making body like a Congress to make their laws

17. “bicameral” legislature
bi = two
camera = chamber
bicameral legislature = a lawmaking body with two chambers (houses)
British Parliament: House of Lords (above) and House of Commons (below)

18. Parliament: House of Commons and House of Lords

19. Usually the leader of the legislature who also has executive power
Prime Minister
Usually the leader of the legislature who also has executive power

20. “bicameral” legislature
U.S. Congress: U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate

21. “bicameral” legislature
Colorado State Capitol: Colorado House of Representatives and Colorado Senate

22. “unicameral”
uni = one
camera = chamber
unicameral legislature = a lawmaking body with one chamber (house) instead of two

23. Representative democracy
People elect representatives: school board, mayor, city council, governor, state representatives, members of the House of Representatives, Senators

24. “federal” A system where the government is divided among levels
For example, in the U.S. we have three levels of government: national (federal), state, and local governments

25. Demo-crac-y = rule by the people (directly)
Who rules? Q: ALL
Demo-crac-y = rule by the people (directly)

26. Practiced by the Ancient Greeks
direct democracy
Practiced by the Ancient Greeks
Everyone citizen met to make decisions; everyone had a vote

27. Caution! Official titles don’t always help
Sometimes countries call themselves “democratic republics” when they are actually communist dictatorships
Example: The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea). (This ain’t a democracy kids)