1. Types of Government

2. What is the purpose of government?
To protect the rights of its citizens!
How do these types of government protect the rights of its citizens (if they do at all)?

3. Autocracy
A system of government in which ONE PERSON has all of the power
They make all the laws, enforce the laws as they see fit, and interpret the law themselves

4. Monarchy
A system of government where a king or queen rules the country
Power to rule runs through family line (child of the current king/queen)
Most monarchs today are constitutional monarchies (the power of the king or queen is limited by a national constitution and elected officials)
There are still some absolute monarchies in the world today!
Examples:
Norway (constitutional monarchy)
Saudi Arabia (absolute monarchy)

5. Dictatorship
A system of government where one leader has absolute power over the lives of the citizens and the government
Dictators usually control the military and rule through fear and intimidation
Power to rule is taken by the use of the military and maintained by the use of the military
Example:
North Korea

6. Representative Democracy
A system of government where the citizens elected government leaders to represent them in government
These elected leaders represent people of certain areas in government and are supposed to make laws and decisions based on what their constituents (people they represent) want
If they don’t, they don’t get re-elected!
Example:
United States

7. Direct Democracy
A system of government where the citizens vote directly on the day-to-day workings of government
Direct democracies only elect people to represent their country to other nations, not to make decisions for them.
Example:
Switzerland

8. Oligarchy
A system of government where a small group of people rule the country.
This small group has all the power of government and can become dictatorships
Example:
Egypt

9. Theocracy
A system of government that is ruled by a religious group and recognizes God or a divine being as the ultimate source of government power
Theocracies usually require its citizens to be members of the religious group
Example:
Iran

10. Anarchy Not a system of government
In an anarchaic state, NO ONE IS IN CHARGE OF OTHER PEOPLE!
People do what is in their best interest only
Example:
None

11. Communism
A system of government where all property and businesses are controlled by the government
There are no social classes (rich/poor, etc.) and all wealth is distributed evenly
Most communist governments are ruled by a strong central government that controls every aspect of its citizens’ lives
Example:
Vietnam

12. Socialism
A system of government where the democratically elected government regulates business and industry with the goal of meeting the needs of its people, not profit.
Government does not own all business, but does regulate it to ensure equal treatment to its citizens.
Government does own some businesses and services (health care, electric companies, etc.) for its citizens
Example:
China