1. Types of Governments Autocracy----rule by one
*Dictatorship—totalitarian
( authoritarian)
*Monarchy
--absolute
--constitutional
Aristocracy: rule by “the best” (Plato), most educated
--most often means “upper class”
--most often inherited wealth
--House of Lords (England)
--(noblesse oblige)
--Since French Revolution,
“bad” meaning

2. Oligarchy--rule by a few, in their own self-interest
*Ancient Sparta, ruled by the warrior “helots,” who owned
the land, had slaves
*Theocracy--religion/government
combined
--Iran today
--intolerant of others’ beliefs
*Plutocracy--rule by the rich
*Communist parties

3. Hierarchy: a structured class system
Class can be based on wealth,
position (the medieval Church),
politics (Nazis and Communists),
race (Hutus vs. the Tutsis in
Rwanda in the 1990s), etc….
--occurs alongside Oligarchies, theocracies, monarchies,
and autocracies
--antithetical to modern Democratic principles, but NOT to
Ancient Republics and Democracies

4. Patriarchy: system in which males have the authority
--can be a monarchy, democracy, etc.
--US until 1920
Matriarchy: system in which females have the authority
--Iroquois League
--Hillary Clinton, Barbara Boxer, Diane Feinstein?--
--the Future?

5. Democracy “Demos” =people, “Kratia” =rule
--“rule by the people” ….but which people?
*Begins in ancient Athens, which also had slavery
Direct Democracy
--all male “citizens” 21 or over speak, vote for themselves
--Demosthenes--orator able to sway the people with
impassioned speeches, have them vote quickly
Republican Democracy—
representatives elected
to speak for the people.
*Rome----the Senate

6. Parliamentary----(oldest). people elect representatives
Parliamentary----(oldest) people elect representatives to the Legislative branch, the majority party (or a coalition) chooses the head of Government.
Presidential----People elect
the Legislative branch;
Head of Government
(President, Chief Executive)
chosen separately.

7. Anarchy
Belief that all existing governmental authority should be abolished and replaced by free cooperation among individuals. Sometimes used to refer to any state of chaos or lawlessness.