1. Political Systems

2. Monarchy
Definition: A government in which power is in the hands of a single person(king); rule is hereditary
Current Examples:
Absolute: Oman, Saudi Arabia, Swaziland
Constitutional: UK, Thailand, Spain

3. Anarchy
Definition: A state of society without government or law; a philosophy which rejects government; OR disorder due to the absence of government control
Past examples: Somalia ( )
Current examples: Syria?

4. Theocracy
Definition: A government controlled by religious leaders; a government where the ruler is viewed as a divine figure
Past examples: Egypt
Current examples: Iran

5. Aristocracy
Definition: A government where power is in hands of hereditary ruling class or nobility; social status and wealth support rulers’ authority
Past Examples: Athens prior to 594 BC
Current Examples: None

6. Democracy Definition: a government controlled by its citizens
Direct: citizens are involved in the government directly
Representative: citizens elect representatives which are involved in the government
Current Exs: Brazil, US, Switzerland