1. Types of Governments
Grade 6
Social Studies

2. Objective: To identify the different types of governments
(Democracy, Oligarchy, Monarchy, Dictatorship, Communism, Totalitarian and Revolutionary)

3. (1) Democracy In a democracy, the government is elected by the people.
Everyone who is eligible to vote has a chance to have their say over who runs the country.
A democracy is determined either directly or through elected representatives.

4. Democracy A system of government where the people rule
Examples: United States, India, Canada
Limited – Government
Brainpop

5. (2) Republic A republic is a country that has no monarch.
The head of the country is usually an elected president.

6. (3)Representative Republic Democracy
Citizens elect representatives
Representatives pass laws
The President, Prime Minister, or Chancellor has limited power
Examples – United States, France, Germany, Mexico

7. Democracy vs. Republic
in Democracy the majority rules according to their whims (ruling body decides what they want to do)
in a Republic the Government rules according to law.  This law is framed in the Constitution to limit the power of Government and ensuring some rights and protection to minorities and individuals.

8. (4) Limited and Unlimited
Limited Government – Ensures more freedom for the citizens of that country.
People’s rights are considered important
Power is with the people
Must follow a written constitution
Examples – United States, England
Unlimited Government – the political leaders have total control over their citizens
Examples – Cuba, North Korea

10. (5)Monarchy A monarchy has a king, queen, emperor or empress.
The ruling position can be passed on to the ruler’s heirs (children)

11. Constitutional Monarchy
A monarch is head of state and a parliament or other legislature makes the laws
For example, the Queen of England does not have political power, but she is a symbol of the English tradition of having a royal family
Examples – England, Spain

12. Monarchy - Limited Government – Current Government
- Unlimited Government - Early England (King Henry VIII, Queen Mary),
Example – England, Spain
Queen Elizabeth

13. (6)Oligarchy
A government in which a few people such as a dominant clan or clique have power.

14. Oligarchy
A government in which a small group that is not elected, but share similar political ideas
Unlimited government:
The Taliban in Afghanistan

16. (7)Dictatorship
A country ruled by a single leader. The leader may use force to keep control and has all power.
In a military dictatorship, the army is in control.
Ex: Nazi’s

17. Dictatorship Examples Hitler Unlimited Fidel Castro (Cuba)
Adolf Hitler (Germany)
Saddam Hussein (Iraq)
Unlimited
Hitler

18. (8)Totalitarian This is a country with only one political party.
People are forced to do what the government tells them and may also be prevented from leaving the country.

20. (9) Communism
a system of social organization in which all economic and social activity is controlled by a totalitarian state dominated by a single political party.
It provides its people's healthcare, education and welfare.
Communism

21. (10) Revolutionary
If a government is overthrown by force, the new ruling group is sometimes called a revolutionary government.