Forms of Government

The most common form of government from ancient times to the early part of the 20th century, which established rule by a hereditary king or queen.

• Democracy

• Dictatorship

• Monarchy

• Oligarchy

A form of government, which is principally a 20th-century phenomenon. Often a military leader, who concentrates political power in himself and his clique. There is no effective rule of law. The regime may or may not have a distinctive political ideology and may or may not allow token opposition.

• Democracy

• Dictatorship

• Monarchy

• Oligarchy

This form of government requires that citizens be free to organize competing political parties, engage in political campaigns, and hold elections according to agreed-upon rules.

• Democracy

• Dictatorship

• Monarchy

• Oligarchy

Most of these governments derive their legitimacy from a legal framework for their rule, which specifies how power is to be exercised and controlled. (Choose the best answer)

• Democracy

• Dictatorship

• Constitutional

• Oligarchical

Method where the national governments are clearly more powerful than those of their subdivisions, even though the constitutions delegate many powers and responsibilities to the subnational units. In certain prescribed policy areas a state government may have a high degree of autonomy. (Choose the best Answer)

• Authoritarian System

• Democratic System

• Federal System

• Unitary State

Method where the national government performs all the governmental functions. Subnational national units administer matters within their jurisdiction, but their powers are set and delegated by the national authority. The national government retains the police power—the inherent power to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens.

• Authoritarian State

• Federal System

• Unitary State

• Utilitarian State

Method that produces the weakest central government, where member states retain their sovereignty, delegating to the central government only those powers that are essential for its maintenance. The individual states jealously guard their power to tax and to make their own laws. The central government serves as a coordinating instrument to protect the interests of all its members.

• Autocratic State

• Confederation

• Federal System

• Unitary State

What type of government fits the following example: Raul Castro is the leader of Cuba. Cuba's government has absolute control over the lives of their citizens. People are often jailed and even killed for voicing negative opinions about the government.

• Democracy

• Dictatorship

• Monarchy

• Oligarchy

Government where people are ruled by a god or a higher power and usually has a holy book that guides the law.

• Democracy

• Dictatorship

• Monarchy

• Theocracy

Government, which the state controls all property and capital, while claiming that all goods are equally shared by the people leading to equal social and economic status.

• Autocracy

• Communism

• Republic

• Socialism