Comparative Government

From 1948 to 1994, official policy in South Africa gave white people all the political power, even though the majority of South Africans were black. White South Africans elected representatives to sit in a lawmaking body.

• autocracy

• direct democracy

• representative democracy

• theocracy

• oligarchy

One man leads North Korea and controls its government. He also controls its ruling political party. The ruling political party chooses candidates for an Assembly, and citizens vote. The candidates do not have opponents, so citizens have no choices.

• anarchy

• junta

• dictatorship

• direct democracy

• theocracy

The people of Denmark elect representatives to sit in Parliament, a lawmaking body. The Queen of Denmark heads the country, but she only has a small role in government.

• junta

• direct democracy

• monarchy

• oligarchy

• representative democracy

Saudi Arabia is led by a king. There are no elections. Saudi Arabia's basic law states that the country's constitution is the Islamic holy book called the Qur'an.

• theocracy

• direct democracy

• representative democracy

• monarchy

• anarchy

Brazil is led by a president who is elected by the citizens every four years. Citizens also elect representatives to serve in two different legislative bodies.

• monarchy

• autocracy

• representative democracy

• junta

• direct democracy

Citizens in Switzerland elect representatives to sit in two lawmaking assemblies. Citizens also vote several times a year to decide on laws. Citizens can vote to propose their own laws or undo laws passed by their representatives. All citizens may vote directly on these laws.

• direct democracy

• monarchy

• theocracy

• oligarchy

• representative democracy

Religion is the ultimate authority in the nation.

• direct democracy

• oligarchy

• theocracy

• monarchy

One leader has total control over citizens' lives.

• oligarchy

• junta

• theocracy

• dictatorship

Type of democracy where citizens elect leaders to represent them in government.

• Representative democracy

• Direct democracy

Citizens hold the political power

• oligarchy

• anarchy

• democracy

• autocracy