1. What If…You Had the Power
If you were the leader of a country, what kind of rulings would you make? What kind of political powers would you let the people of your country have?

2. Types of Governments

3. To study governments, geographers look at the following:
Types – Who rules and who participates.
Systems – How the power is distributed.

4. Autocracy
Government in which the power to govern is held by one person.
Generally the power to rule is inherited or by military force.
There are two
types of Autocracies.

5. #1 Dictatorship
The leader has not been elected and uses force to control all aspects of social and economic life.
Examples: Fidel Castro of Cuba

6. #2 Absolute Monarchy A monarchy has a king, queen, emperor or empress.
The power is usually inherited or passed down from family members.
The monarch has absolute power meaning they can make all decisions without consulting anyone.

7. Oligarchy
A government in which a few people such as a dominant clan or clique have power.
The group gets their power from either military, wealth or social status.
Elections may be held but offer
only one candidate.
Examples: Greek city states

8. Democracy In a democracy, the government is “Rule by the people”
There are two forms of democracy
Direct Democracy – People vote on all the issues.
Representative Democracy – People elect representatives and give them the power to vote on issues.
Example: United States

9. In a democracy…. Individual freedom and equality is valued.
Free elections are held
Decisions are based on majority rule.
All candidates can express their views freely.

10. Democratic Governments
There are two major forms of democratic governments:
Parliamentary
Presidential

11. Presidential Democracy
A government in which the executive, legislative, and judicial branches are separate
The citizens vote for the leader of the country, the president, who serves in the executive branch.
Example: U.S.A.

12. Parliamentary Democracy
A government where voters elect representatives to a lawmaking body called parliament
Parliament members then select the leader, usually called the prime minister.
Examples: United Kingdom, Canada