Systems of Government

Autocracy

• A system of government in which supreme political power is held by one person.

• This is one of the oldest and most common forms of government.

Totalitarian Dictatorship

• A form of government in which the ruler is not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.

Examples of Totalitarian Dictatorships

• Adolf Hitler- Nazi party of Germany

• Vladimir Stalin- Communist party of the Soviet Union

• Benito Mussolini – Fascist party of Italy

Military Dictatorship

• A form of dictatorship in which the political power resides in the military.

• Mixed forms exist where the military exerts a strong influence without being entirely dominant.

Examples of Military Dictatorships

• In places in Latin America military dictatorships called “juntas” exist.

• Saddam Hussein’s rule in Iraq started as a one party state ruled by the Ba’ath party, but over the course of it’s existence it turned into a military dictatorship.

In Dictatorships…

• A single leader determines government policy.

• Can come to power through revolution or election.

• The dictator seeks to control all aspects of social and economic life.

Absolute Monarchy

• A form of government in which a King or Queen exercises the supreme powers of government.

• Monarchs usually inherit their positions.

Example of an Absolute Monarchy

• Saudi Arabia

Democracy

• Greek for “rule of the people.”

• Any system of government in which leaders rule with the consent of the citizens.

Democratic Republic

• In a Democratic Republic voters elect all major officials, who are responsible to the people.

• The head of state or head of government is usually a President elected for a specific term.

Examples of Democratic Republics

• United States

• France

Constitutional Monarchy

• A constitutional monarchy is a form of monarchial government established under a constitutional system which acknowledges a hereditary or elected monarch as head of state.

• Today these monarchies only play a ceremonial role.

Examples of Constitutional Monarchies

• United Kingdom

• Canada

Oligarchy

• A system of government in which power is held by a small group of people.

• The group power may be derived from wealth, military power, social position, religion, or a combination of these.

Example of a Oligarchy

• Communist China under control Chairman Mao was controlled both by the leaders of the Communist Party and also by the Armed forces.

• Like a dictatorship, except is ruled by a small group verses just one person.

Theocracy

• A Nation-State in which the clergy exercise political power and religious law.

Example of a Theocracy

• Iran under Ayatollah Khomeini who took power in 1979 after the overthrow of the Shah.

Two forms of Government Systems

Federalist System

• Government system in which the power is divided between the national (aka federal) government, and state and local governments.

Examples of Federalist Systems

• United States

• Canada

• Mexico

• Australia

• Federalist systems cannot exist in totalitarian governments.

Unitary System

• In a unitary system all key powers go to the national/federal government. This government than creates the state, provincial, and local governments and gives them limited sovereignty.

Examples of Unitary Systems

• United Kingdom

• France

• Italy

• China

• North Korea

Similarities and Differences

• These are similar because either one could be used in any of the government systems.

(Besides totalitarian governments)

• These are different from each other in the way that power is spread.