1. Types of Government

2. Someone has to be in Charge
For most of human history there has been some form of government.
Governments are created as a way to order society
Provide protection
Stabilize commerce
Provide national identity
The question is “Who is in charge?”

3. Autocracy
A government in which one person (or small group of people) has all the power
Monarchy - a group, generally a family representing a dynasty that embodies the country's national identity.
 The monarch (the head) exercises the role of sovereignty. 
One of the oldest forms of government --over 5000 ago
Monarchies can be absolute or constitutional
Constitutional: bound to exercise their powers and authorities within the limits of an established legal framework  The United Kingdom
Absolute: one ruler has supreme authority and where that authority is not restricted by any written laws or customs  Saudi Arabia

4. Autocracy
Dictatorship - An authoritarian form of government in which a government is ruled by either an individual or an authoritarian party
Dictatorship can exist alongside a constitution
All parts of the government serve the dictator
As old an the Roman Republic
An official is given absolute power over the government for a specific, limited period of time.
Current dictatorships
Cuba, Syria, North Korea

5. Democracy A government where citizens hold the power.
Representative Democracy- Citizens elect leaders to represent their rights and interests in government.
Citizens hold the ultimate authority
Free and fair elections
Current Representative Democracies
The United States, France, Germany

6. Democracy
Direct Democracy - Citizens vote directly on issues and directly decide issues.
Most countries are too big for this to work
Examples:
Ancient Athens
Current Direct Democracies
Two canton’s (states) in Switzerland are the only examples.

7. Other forms
Each of these can be seen as variation of the other stated forms.
Oligarchy - Rule of the country by a small elite group of people.
Similar to a Dictatorship
If the group are military officers it is called a “junta”
Examples of Oligarchies
South Africa (before 1994)
White minority population ran the state over black majority
Burma (before 2011)
Military junta since 1962

8. Other Forms
Theocracy - Rule of the country by an ultimate divine authority.
Religious law is supreme
One religious leader hold all the real power
Found in countries that are extremely religious
Can exist along side a constitution
Can be dictatorial
Current Theocracies
Iran (Muslim)
Vatican City (Christian)

9. What to remember Who rules is key! Autocracy Oligarchy Democracy
Rule of the one
Dictatorship
Monarchy
Oligarchy
Rule of the few
Junta
Democracy
Rule by all
Direct Democracy
Representative Democracy
Theocracy
Rule of God
The Vatican