Forms of Government

(By Power Structure) A union between partially self-governing States/regions under a central (federal) government; where powers of government are shared between central and local governments

• Anarchy

• Confederation

• Unitary

• Federation

(By Power Structure) A centralized government where all powers held by the government belong to a single, central agency

• Anarchy

• Confederation

• Unitary

• Federation

(By Power Structure) A union of sovereign states, united for purposes of common action; usually created by treaty and meant to deal with crucial issues like defense, foreign relations, and trade.

• Anarchy

• Confederation

• Unitary

• Federation

(By Power Structure) Society without government or political authority; a failed state

• Anarchy

• Confederation

• Unitary

• Federation

(By Power Source) Match the following:

• Oligarchy

• "rule of the people" & "rule of the majority" where citizens exercise power directly or indirectly in the formation of a governing body; Free and fair elections and multiple political parties are essential

• Democracy

• "rule of the few" where the power rests with a small number of people often distinguished by nobility, wealth, family ties, religious affilation, military affilation

• Autocracy

• When the supreme power (social and political) is concentrated in the hands of one person, whose decisions/actions are not subject to any restraints

(By Power Ideology) Where the government is headed by a family in a dynasty; The monarchy could be symbolic (crowned republic), partially restricted (constitutional monarchy), or autocratic (absolute)

• Monarchy

• Constitutional

• Republic

(By Power Ideology) When the primary positions of power within a government are not inherited, but attained through elections expressing the consent of the governed

• Republic

• Monarchy

• Constitutional

(By Power Ideology) Where the government is limited by a constitution

• Republic

• Monarchy

• Constitutional

(Forms of Democracy) Match the following:

• Direct Democracy

• Government in which the people represent themselves and vote directly for new laws and public policy

• Representative Democracy

• Government in which the citizens elect representatives to create and implement public policy

• Social Democracy

• Free, fair, competitive elections between multiple, distinct political parties; separation of powers into different branches of government; rule of law; protection of human rights and civil liberties for all

• Liberal Democracy

• Government where all citizens are legally entitled to certain social rights; univeral access to public services including education, health care, workers' compensation, public transportation, care for children/elderly; advocates freedom from discrimination

(Forms of Oligarchy) Rule by the wealthy; where the government is indebted to, dependent upon, or heavily influenced by the desires of the rich

• Aristocracy

• Theocracy

• Plutocracy