1. Forms of Government

2. Classifying Governments
Who can participate in the governing process
Geographic distribution of governmental power within the state
Relationship between the legislative and executive branches

3. Different Forms of Democracy

4. Different Forms of Dictatorships
Autocracy: a single person holds unlimited political power
Oligarchy: power to rule is held by a small, usually self-appointed elite.
All Dictatorships are authoritarian:
Absolute and unchallengeable power over the people
Most are totalitarian:
Complete power over nearly every aspect of human affairs, all matters of human concern
Typically militaristic:
Gained power by force, military holds major posts

6. Relationship between Legislative and Executive Presidential Government
Parliamentary Government
Executive and Legislative branches are separate, yet equal
The people elect the Executive and the members of the legislature
Executive branch is a part of the Legislative branch
Executive branch=Prime minister and cabinet
Prime Minister=leader of the majority party
Chosen by Parliament