Who Rules?

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

• Monarchy

• Democracy

• Dictatorship

• Oligarchy

In Switzerland, citizens elect representatives to sit in two lawmaking assemblies. But 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.

• Indirect Democracy & Anarchy

• Direct Democracy & Anarchy

• Constitutional Monarchy & Representative Democracy

• Representative Democracy & Direct Democracy

From 1948-1998, official policy in South Africa gave white people all the political power. Even though the majority of South Africans were black, non-whites could influence the government. White South Africans elected representatives to sit in a lawmaking body.

• Dictatorship & Representative Democracy

• Oligarchy & Direct Democracy

• Dictatorship & Constitutional Monarchy

• Oligarchy & Representative Democracy

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. The government is led by a Prime Minister, who is appointed from among the representatives.

• Monarchy & Direct Democracy

• Monarchy & Representative Democracy

• Direct Democracy & Oligarchy

• Theocracy & Oligarchy

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

• Representative Democracy

• Direct Democracy

• Oligarchy

• Monarchy