1. Types of Governments

2. Dictatorship Who governs? How do you get power?
One person
How do you get power?
Usually by force (though some have been elected they keep their power through force)
How is power transferred?
The dictator decides before (if they can) or there is usually chaos following
How are laws/decisions made?
The dictator makes all decisions
Advantages
Easy to make decisions
Disadvantages
No choices
No rights
Examples
Fidel Castro of Cuba
Hitler of Germany
Saddam Hussein of Iraq

3. Theocracy Who governs? How do you get power? How is power transferred?
A religious group
How do you get power?
Sometimes it is a chosen government, sometimes through force
How is power transferred?
Stays within the religious group
How are laws/decisions made?
The religion dictates decisions
Advantages
Easy to make decisions
Disadvantages
Hard if you are not part of the religion
Examples
Iran
The Vatican City

4. Absolute Monarchy Who governs? How do you get power?
A king, queen, emperor
How do you get power?
Is “given” power to rule by some higher power
How is power transferred?
Stays within the family
How are laws/decisions made?
The monarch makes all decisions
Advantages
Easy to make decisions
Disadvantages
No choices
No rights
Examples
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Oman

5. Constitutional Monarchy*
Who governs?
A law making body, perhaps the king is involved
How do you get power?
The law making body is elected
How is power transferred?
Elections
How are laws/decisions made?
A law making body (usually chosen by people) makes decisions. King may have input.
Advantages
Choice
More rights/freedoms
Disadvantages
Many have multiple political parties so decisions are hard to make
Examples
Jordan- active monarch
United Kingdom- non-active monarch
Japan- non- active monarch
Active Monarchs have a role in the law making
Non-Active monarch are more figure heads

6. Representative Democracy
Who governs?
A law making body
How do you get power?
The law making body is elected
How is power transferred?
Elections
How are laws/decisions made?
A law making body (chosen by people) makes decisions
Advantages
Choice
More rights/freedoms
Disadvantages
Many have multiple political parties so decisions are hard to make
Examples
USA
France
India
* United Kingdom
* Japan

7. Direct Democracy Who governs? How do you get power?
The individual people of voting age
How do you get power?
No one person has power, all power is shared
How is power transferred?
If there is a “leader” they are chosen by the people
How are laws/decisions made?
The people listen to both sides then vote
Advantages
The people are invested in the decisions
Disadvantages
If there are lots of decisions to be made, it can be very time consuming
Examples
No countries have true direct democracies…they are too big
New England Town meetings
Cantons in Switzerland