1. Systems Of Government
Mr. Black
US Global 9

2. The Four Basic Government Systems
There are FOUR (4) basic government systems (some government systems also have “subsystems”)
The four basic government systems are:
Monarchies
1a. Absolute Monarchies
1b. Constitutional Monarchies
Theocracies
Dictatorships
Democracies
4a. Parliamentary Democracies
4b. Presidential Democracies

3. Monarchy In a monarchy, the ruler inherits his or her power
When they die, power is automatically passed to one of monarch’s children
E.G., king, queen, emperor, empress
2 types: absolute and constitutional

4. Absolute Monarchy King/Queen has absolute rule over subjects
Power is claimed by divine right
Freedoms and rights come only with the consent of the ruler
People have no voice in selecting ruler
Weakness: capabilities may vary

5. Bhutan, Brunei, Saudi Arabia and Swaziland are just a few examples of modern absolute monarchies

6. Constitutional Monarchy
Power of ruler is limited
Subjects enjoy basic rights, have a voice in government
Power is shared- between monarch and elected legislature

7. Monaco, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom are just a few examples of modern constitutional monarchies

8. Theocracy
Religious leaders rule over society (religion is the government).
Rulers chosen by councils of religious priests or clerics
Leaders claim to act in the name of god- expect strict obedience from members of society
Iran

9. Dictatorship
Like monarchy, a single person or small group has supreme power
Dictator gains power by force or is put in that position and then takes action to strengthen their power
Not responsible to the people and not limited by them
Cuba

10. China, Cuba, North Korea and Sudan are just a few examples of modern dictatorships

11. Democracy Government authority is based upon people’s consent
Direct Democracy: citizens vote on each issue
Representative Democracy: the “will” of the people is carried out by elected officials

12. Democracy
Government functions under the rule of law & liberties are guaranteed
Respect given for individual freedoms
Majority rule followed with respect given for minority views
2 types: Parliamentary, Presidential

13. Parliamentary Democracy
Voters elect legislature (parliament)
Legislature chooses chief executive, the prime minister
Prime Minister and Chief Ministers are members of Parliament
They can be removed by a majority of parliament at any time
Most of world’s democracies are under this system
Great Britain

14. Canada, India, Turkey and the United Kingdom are just a few examples of parliamentary democracies

15. Presidential Democracy
A separation of powers exists between branches of government
Voters elect each separately
Each branch is independent and checks the other’s powers
United States

16. Brazil, France, Nigeria and the United States are just a few examples of presidential democracies

17. ATTENTION!
You may have noticed that some nations have appeared in more than one category of the basic systems of government (or subsystems)…
It is important to understand that NO NATION fits perfectly into a textbook definition of a specific government system; governments can have at least partial resemblance to a variety of government systems!

18. Divine Right
Meaning, the will of god