TYPES OF GOVERNMENT

Four basic types:Monarchy, Democracy,

Dictatorship, and Theocracy

Absolute Monarchy How does the government acquire its power?

Ruler (monarch) inherits his or her power. When the ruler dies, power automatically passes to one of the monarch’s children. It usually goes to the eldest son.

How does the government justify its power? Monarch justifies having power through divine right to

rule. What is the structure of the government?

Monarch (king, queen, emperor, kaiser, csar) has absolute power. No one else has power unless granted to them by the monarch.

What opportunities for citizen participation exist in this type of government? People have no rights or freedoms, except those the

monarch chooses to grant. People have no choice in selecting who rules.

Constitutional (limited) Monarchy How does the government acquire its power?

Ruler (monarch) inherits his or her power. Legislature is elected by the people.

How does the government justify its power? Monarch justifies having power through divine right to

rule. Legislature justifies having the power through the

consent of the people. What is the structure of the government?

Monarch shares power with an elected legislature. Legislature typically has the authority to write the laws while the monarch enforces the laws.

What opportunities for citizen participation exist in this type of government? People have some basic rights and a limited voice in

government because they can elect the legislature.

Parliamentary Democracy How does the government acquire its power?

People elect the legislature. The legislature chooses the chief executive from among the legislature.

How does the government justify its power? The government’s authority is based on the consent of

the people. This is called popular sovereignty. What is the structure of the government?

The chief executive (Prime Minister, Chancellor) is in charge of leading the legislature (Parliament, Duma) and enforcing the laws.

What opportunities for citizen participation exist in this type of government? People have rights and liberties because the people

choose the leaders. The government must follow the law. Voters elect the legislature. The legislature chooses the

chief executive from among the legislature.

Presidential Democracy How does the government acquire its power?

People separately elect the legislature and the chief executive (President).

How does the government justify its power? The government’s authority is based on the consent of the

people. This is called popular sovereignty. What is the structure of the government?

The chief executive (President) is responsible for enforcing the laws. The legislature (Congress) is responsible for writing the laws. The chief executive never serves in the legislature at the same time.

What opportunities for citizen participation exist in this type of government? People have rights and liberties because the people choose

the leaders. The government must follow the law. Voters separately elect the legislature and the chief

executive.

Dictatorships How does the government acquire its power?

Dictator either seizes control of the government by force, or is put into a position of authority by others and afterwards takes action to extend his power.

How does the government justify its power? The dictator justifies having power by having the

ability to seize control. What is the structure of the government?

A single person or small group of people exercise supreme power over others.

What opportunities for citizen participation exist in this type of government? People have no rights or freedoms, except those the

dictator chooses to grant. People have no choice in selecting who rules.

Theocracy How does the government acquire its power?

Ruler is chosen by councils of religious leaders. How does the government justify its power?

Rulers claim to act in the name of God and expect strict obedience from the members of society.

What is the structure of the government? The religious leaders rule over society. They make all

the laws. Ruler has absolute power, but may have to share

some power with the council that selected him. What opportunities for citizen participation exist

in this type of government? People have no rights or freedoms, and are expected

to follow with strict obedience. People have no choice in selecting who rules.