1. Forms of Government Goal C&G.4.1 - Compare the American system of government to other forms of government.

2. A. Anarchy 1.Definition: the absence of government (rule by none) 2.Believe people do not need laws or officials to govern themselves. 3.Constant violence/chaos as groups fight for control 4.Example: Somalia (mobs and warlords fighting for power)

3. B. Oligarchy 1.Definition: political power effectively rests with a small elite group of people (rule by a few) 2.Many European monarchies formed from oligarchies. 3.Examples: Ancient Sparta, South Africa

4. C. Theocracy 1.Definition: belief that God is the source of gov’t authority (rule by the church) 2.Strongly influenced by the principles of religion 3.Examples: Muslim nations; Pope & Vatican City

5. D. Autocracy 1.Definition: one person has unlimited power (rule by one) 2.2 types = dictatorship and monarchy 3.Usually depends on the country’s military to hold on to power

6. E. Limited Monarchy 1.Definition: King/Queen is head of the state, but power is limited by a representative governing (lawmaking) body. 2.Magna Carta helped to form this so that common people would have a voice. 3.Example: Queen Elizabeth II and Parliament in England

7. F. Absolute Monarchy 1.Definition: The king/queen has TOTAL power and lawmaking ability. 2.Often results in abuse of the people because of its control 3.Example: Saudi Arabia, parts of Asia & Africa

8. G. Dictatorship 1.Definition: Absolute rule by one person not restricted by laws or constitutions. 2.People have no freedoms or powers 3.Example: Cuba

9. H. Totalitarianism 1.Definition: the gov’t has total/absolute power over all aspects of life. 2.Is maintained by secret police, propaganda, and terrorism. 3.Example: Hitler/Nazi Party in Germany

10. I. Aristocracy 1.Definition: rule by a privileged upper class 2.“rule by the best / the wealthy” 3.No longer exists as a government, but exists in conjunction with a monarchy 4.Example: nobles during Medieval England

11. J. Democracy 1.Definition: people have the power to rule; based on majority rule and consent of the governed (rule by the people) 2.Protects the rights of people 3.2 types: direct and indirect (representative) -- has elections in which the people have power to elect who they want to govern. 4. First developed in Ancient Greece (city-state of Athens) 5. Examples: USA, India

12. K. Republicanism 1.Definition: Elected officials govern through consent of the people 2.Political authority comes from the will of the people (popular sovereignty) 3.Example: USA is a form of this (aka representative democracy); Ancient Rome was an early form of a republic

13. L. Federalism 1.Power is shared between a central (federal) gov’t and the states 2.Central gov’t has more power than the states 3.Example: USA - states must follow federal government’s authority Central Government (Federal) State Local