1. GOVERNMENT Why do we have government? Government is needed to create laws and enforce them. Government is needed to create laws and enforce them. Government serves to protect the people and the health, safety, security, and moral standards of a community.Government serves to protect the people and the health, safety, security, and moral standards of a community. There are many types of government around the world.There are many types of government around the world.

2. ANARCHY Anarchy is a where there is no government.Anarchy is a where there is no government. Think of Haiti after the earthquake of 2009.Think of Haiti after the earthquake of 2009. The absence of government leads to chaos.The absence of government leads to chaos.

3. ARISTOCRACY and OLIGARCHY ARISTOCRACY Power in this type of government rests with the noble or privileged.Power in this type of government rests with the noble or privileged. The rich hold all of the power.The rich hold all of the power.OLIGARCHY A form of government where political power effectively rests with a small elite segment of society distinguished by royalty, wealth, family, military powers.A form of government where political power effectively rests with a small elite segment of society distinguished by royalty, wealth, family, military powers.

4. CONFEDERATION A loose alliance of states or nations in which powers rests within the states but they share an association with a central government.A loose alliance of states or nations in which powers rests within the states but they share an association with a central government. The central government has little power, but serves as the uniting force.The central government has little power, but serves as the uniting force.

5. DEMOCRACY A government in which the citizens hold the power to rule.A government in which the citizens hold the power to rule.

6. DICTATORSHIP An autocratic form of government in which the government is ruled by a dictator.An autocratic form of government in which the government is ruled by a dictator. Rule by a single leader who has not been elected and may use force to keep control.Rule by a single leader who has not been elected and may use force to keep control. In a military dictatorship, the army is in control.In a military dictatorship, the army is in control. Usually, there is little or no attention to public opinion or individual rights.Usually, there is little or no attention to public opinion or individual rights.

7. DIRECT DEMOCRACY Originated in ancient Greece…In a direct democracy, the people directly rule.Originated in ancient Greece…In a direct democracy, the people directly rule. There are no representatives. All people have a say in what goes on.There are no representatives. All people have a say in what goes on.

8. FEDERALISM A form of government in which power is divided between the federal, or national, government and the states.A form of government in which power is divided between the federal, or national, government and the states. The US has a federal system of government where the state and national government share power.The US has a federal system of government where the state and national government share power.

9. MONARCHY A monarchy has a king or queen, who sometimes has absolute power.A monarchy has a king or queen, who sometimes has absolute power. Power is passed along through the family line and is hereditary.Power is passed along through the family line and is hereditary.

10. REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY The idea that government should serve the will of the people. Government officials are elected by the people (voters) and stand in for them to make decisions about the nation.The idea that government should serve the will of the people. Government officials are elected by the people (voters) and stand in for them to make decisions about the nation. Representatives of the people have terms of office and time limits placed on the amount of time they serve the people.Representatives of the people have terms of office and time limits placed on the amount of time they serve the people. "Representative Democracy" = "Republican form of government""Representative Democracy" = "Republican form of government" The United States has a representative democracy.The United States has a representative democracy.

11. REPUBLIC Authority in this type of government comes from the election by the people of public officials best fitted to represent them.Authority in this type of government comes from the election by the people of public officials best fitted to represent them. Has also been referred to as a Representative Democracy.Has also been referred to as a Representative Democracy. The United States is a Republic.The United States is a Republic.

12. TOTALITARIANISM A system in which government control extends to almost all aspects of people’s lives.A system in which government control extends to almost all aspects of people’s lives. Rule by a single political party.Rule by a single political party. People are forced to do what the government tells them and may also be prevented from leaving the country.People are forced to do what the government tells them and may also be prevented from leaving the country.