Major Types of GovernmentMajor Types of Government

All governments belong to one of All governments belong to one of four major groups.four major groups.

An An autocracyautocracy is a government in which the is a government in which the power and authority to rule are in the hands of a power and authority to rule are in the hands of a single individual. Autocracies may be total single individual. Autocracies may be total dictatorships, or monarchies (rule by a king or a dictatorships, or monarchies (rule by a king or a queen).queen).An An oligarchyoligarchy is a government in which a small is a government in which a small group holds power. Oligarchies typically exist in group holds power. Oligarchies typically exist in countries ruled by the communist party. Some countries ruled by the communist party. Some countries ruled by an oligarchy may claim that countries ruled by an oligarchy may claim that they have legislatures that speak for the people they have legislatures that speak for the people however, under this type of government actual however, under this type of government actual power is really in the hands of only a few people. power is really in the hands of only a few people.

A A democracydemocracy is a system of government in is a system of government in which rule is by the people. In a democracy, which rule is by the people. In a democracy, many people have some kind of influence in many people have some kind of influence in government. In a direct democracy the government. In a direct democracy the people govern themselves. A key to a direct people govern themselves. A key to a direct democracy is that the area that is governed democracy is that the area that is governed must be geographically small. Larger areas must be geographically small. Larger areas may be ruled by a representative democracy. may be ruled by a representative democracy. In a representative democracy, the people In a representative democracy, the people elect officials to represent them in a council, elect officials to represent them in a council, parliament, legislature, or congress and make parliament, legislature, or congress and make laws. In a republic, voters are the source of laws. In a republic, voters are the source of the government’s authority.the government’s authority.

A A theocracytheocracy is a type of government is a type of government in which religious leaders make rules in which religious leaders make rules that govern the lives of the people in that govern the lives of the people in a state.a state.

Characteristics of Characteristics of DemocracyDemocracy

Individual liberty, majority rule, Individual liberty, majority rule, free elections, and competing free elections, and competing

political parties are some political parties are some characteristics of a democracy.characteristics of a democracy.

Democracies allow people the freedom to Democracies allow people the freedom to develop to the best of their ability. But develop to the best of their ability. But democracy does not allow complete democracy does not allow complete freedom. Government decisions in a freedom. Government decisions in a democracy are made by the majority of democracy are made by the majority of voters in free elections. Respect for voters in free elections. Respect for minority opinions and rights is a minority opinions and rights is a fundamental of democracy. American fundamental of democracy. American democracy attempts to protect the rights of democracy attempts to protect the rights of individuals against government abuse. individuals against government abuse. Legitimate democratic governments get Legitimate democratic governments get their authority from the people.their authority from the people.

Free elections give the people the chance Free elections give the people the chance to tell rulers how they feel about issues to tell rulers how they feel about issues and leadership. If people are pressured and leadership. If people are pressured into voting for or against a specific cause, into voting for or against a specific cause, then the will of the people is actually then the will of the people is actually unknown, and there is no true democracy. unknown, and there is no true democracy. Competing political parties give voters a Competing political parties give voters a choice between candidates. Finally, the choice between candidates. Finally, the party in the minority keeps the other party party in the minority keeps the other party “honest” by criticizing the majority position “honest” by criticizing the majority position on issues.on issues.

Nurturing a DemocracyNurturing a Democracy

There are five general There are five general conditions conditions

that promote democracy.that promote democracy.

1.1. Active citizen participation keeps people Active citizen participation keeps people involved in their government. This helps involved in their government. This helps advance democracy.advance democracy.

2.2. A favorable economy also fosters democracy. A favorable economy also fosters democracy. A stable economy without extreme differences A stable economy without extreme differences between the rich and poor allows people to between the rich and poor allows people to stay involved in a democracystay involved in a democracy

3.3. Widespread education promotes democracy. Widespread education promotes democracy. When people are well educated, they are When people are well educated, they are better able to make informed decisions better able to make informed decisions regarding political issues and candidates.regarding political issues and candidates.

4.4. A strong civil society develops democracy. A strong civil society develops democracy. Networks of voluntary associations, economic Networks of voluntary associations, economic groups, religious organizations, and many groups, religious organizations, and many other kinds of groups give citizens a chance to other kinds of groups give citizens a chance to make their views known to government make their views known to government officials. They also give people the means for officials. They also give people the means for protecting their rights.protecting their rights.

5.5. Finally, democracy thrives when there is a Finally, democracy thrives when there is a social consensus. In a democratic society, social consensus. In a democratic society, most people value democratic ideals such as most people value democratic ideals such as individual liberty and equality of opportunity. individual liberty and equality of opportunity. They must also agree about the purpose and They must also agree about the purpose and limits of government.limits of government.

How did the United States begin as a colonial territory ruled by an autocracy

(king) and become a republican democracy?