1. Types of Government

2. Government Preview Every nation in the world has a government. They are not all alike. Each nation’s government has been shaped by the country’s history. There are three main types of governments.

3. 1. Autocracy Rule by one Monarchy (absolute and constitutional) Dictatorship/Totalitarian Theocracy

4. Absolute Monarchs Rule by a king or queen. Usually with absolute force. They hold absolute or total power. There are few absolute monarchs left today. Most monarchs today rule with limitations on their power. King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia

5. Constitutional Monarchs Rule by a king or queen. Their power is limited by a constitution. They do not have absolute authority. In England, Queen Elizabeth has to answer to parliament and the Prime Minister. Queen Elizabeth II

6. Dictatorships/Totalitarian Governments In some countries a small group of people or one person rules by force. It controls all areas of people’s lives. Few rights in countries like these. Former Cuban President, Fidel Castro, is an example. Former Cuban President Fidel Castro

7. Theocracy Form of government in which religion is recognized as supreme law. Ex: Vatican City Pope Francis

8. 2. Oligarchy Rule by a few. Sometimes a military group or a wealthy group of people. Some tribes still operate this way in remote countries. Some city-states from Ancient Greece were oligarchies. Some say America is an Oligarchy???

9. Some examples of Oligarchies Communism - government determines all means of production, people work for the government. –Ex. China, North Vietnam Socialism - government ownership of some things but people can still own businesses. –Ex. France, Sweden, Norway

10. 3. Democracies Direct Democracies All participate in government such as in Ancient Athens. Can still work today in smaller communities. Representative Democracy or Republic We elect people to represent the people and make decisions for all the people. We have representatives in Frankfort and in D.C.

11. Anarchy NO Government

12. Why do we need governments?