Who Rules: Types of Government study guide

Rule by a king or queen, has all the power, with family members succeeding in the same role.

• Absolute Monarchy

• Constitutional Monarchy

Power rests in the hands of an individual. All other branches follow that person. Citizens are not represented

• Constitutional Monarch

• Dictator

• Oligarchy

• Democracy

People vote on issues and are directly involved in day to day running of the government

• Representative Democracy

• Direct Democracy

• Absolute Monarchy

• Constitutional Monarchy

Citizens elect leaders to make decisions on their behalf and do the day to day work of government.

• Representative Democracy

• Direct Democracy

• Absolute Monarchy

• Constitutional Monarchy

Government that recognizes God as the ultimate authority. Religious law is used to settle disputes and rule the people. It can be a part of other government types.

• Monarchy

• Oligarchy

• Autocracy

• Theocracy

A small group of people has all the power

• Monarchy

• Oligarchy

• Autocracy

• Theocracy

A government in which one person has all the power. There are two types of this government. Monarchy and Dictatorship

• Monarchy

• Oligarchy

• Autocracy

• Theocracy

Nobody is in control

• Representative Democracy

• Absolute Monarchy

• Constitutional Monarchy

• Anarchy

King or Queen shares power. Often power is limited by a constitution.

• Representative Democracy

• Absolute Monarchy

• Constitutional Monarchy

• Anarchy

Ability to make and enforce laws without having to check with a higher authority

• Monarchy

• Autocracy

• Democracy

• Sovereignty