1-2 Notes Quiz

In this system of government, a single dictator holds ultimate authority.  This dictator tightly controls all aspects of life (political, social, and economic), and there are no formal or informal limits on government.

• Constitutional monarchy

• Oligarchy

• Theocracy

• Totalitarianism

Spain, the United Kingdom, and Japan are among the roughly 30 nations that utilize this type of government.  There is a King or Queen, but the government authority resides in an elected parliament and a prime minister

• Constitutional monarchy

• Oligarchy

• Theocracy

• Totalitarianism

This type of government is led by a small group of religious leaders, laws are rooted in a particular religion or religious doctrine, and government power is unlimited.

• Constitutional Monarchy

• Absolute Monarchy

• Theocracy

• Republic

Several ancient Greek states, most notably Athens, used this form of government.  All eligible citizens participated in decision-making.

• Aristocracy

• Direct Democracy

• Republic

• Military Junta

In this form of government, the people (citizens) are the ultimate source of government authority, but they elect representatives to set terms to make government decisions on their behalf.  The United States has this form of government.

• Monarchy

• Aristocracy

• Direct Democracy

• Republic

This form of government, which is run by a king or queen that has inherited their power, has been the most common throughout world history.  Although the nation of Jordan still uses this system of government, it has become increasingly rare in modern times.

• Monarchy

• Aristocracy

• Direct Democracy

• Republic

In this system of organizing national power, all levels of government (national, state, and regional) share power.  Each level has the power to make their own laws, elect officials, and create agencies.

• National

• Unitary

• Federal

• Confederal

The leader of the executive power in a parliamentary system is called a(n)

• President

• Prime Minister

• Dictator

• Aristocrat

This system of organizing national power concentrates that power in a central government, and is used in the United Kingdom and Japan.

• National

• Unitary

• Federal

• Confederal

Which of the following statements about presidential systems is NOT true?

• A president’s powers are balanced by a legislature, which is both popularly elected and independent of the president.

• Presidents appoint cabinet members to oversee major state bureaucracies

• Aside from being in charge of the executive branch of government, the president must also perform symbolic duties of a head of state

• Although both the executive and legislative branches usually must work together, the president can force Congress to pass laws using the power of veto, allowing him/her to avoid political stalemate.