1. Types of Government

2. Direct Democracy
DEFINITION: Form of democracy where all adults take part in decisions.
ADVANTAGES: All adults get to participate
DISADVANTAGES:
- Time Consuming
- Decisions made by people who may not be experts
EXAMPLE: New England states

3. Tribal Rule
DEFINITION: Communities band together, make group decisions but chief has the final say
ADVANTAGES:
- Decisions are based on the culture’s customs
- Group Decisions
DISADVANTAGES:
-Only the chiefs get to make final
decisions
EXAMPLE: tribes, Native Americans

4. Absolute Monarchy
DEFINITION: Rule by a king or queen who inherits the throne and has total control
ADVANTAGES:
- passed down through family
DISADVANTAGES:
-passed down through family
- no power for the people
- outsiders can’t gain power
EXAMPLE: Saudi Arabia

5. Dictatorship
DEFINITION: Lead by one person (not a king or queen). Dictators seize power
ADVANTAGES:
none, unless you are the dictator
DISADVANTAGES:
Dictators use violence against their opponents, and deny their people the right to make their own decisions
EXAMPLE: North Korea

6. Oligarchy
DEFINITION: Government controlled by small groups of wealthy people; ordinary people have little say
ADVANTAGES:
Small groups make decisions
DISADVANTAGES:
Ordinary people have little to no say
EXAMPLES: China, Burma

7. Constitutional Monarchy
DEFINITION: Power of King and Queen are limited by law. Country also has a constitution.
ADVANTAGES:
Constitution and lows give king and queen less power
DISADVANTAGES:
King and queen still have power; not enough power for the people
EXAMPLES: Canada, Kuwait, Spain, United Kingdom

8. Representative Democracy
DEFINITION: Run by representatives that are chosen by the people; people indirectly hold the power
ADVANTAGES:
- power is shared
- people hold power indirectly
- citizens can work to change laws and elect reps.
DISADVANTAGES:
People hold power only indirectly
EXAMPLE: United States