Unit 1: Who Rules? Forms of Government

A society in which the citizens are sovereign, which means the people control the government. There are two main types.

• Democracy

• Oligarchy

• Plutocracy

• Anarchy

A system of government by one person with absolute power. There are two main types - absolute monarchies and dictatorships.

• Autocracy

• Anarchy

• Plutocracy

• Junta

A form of government in which an all-powerful king or queen rules a state. This was a common form of government in Europe through the 1700

• Absolute Monarchy

• Constitutional Monarchy

• Representative Democracy

• Direct Democracy

A government ruled by a few powerful people who exercise control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes

• Oligarchy

• Anarchy

• Representative Democracy

• Sovereign

A system where all citizens decide on laws and policies directly without elected government officials who act as representatives.

• Rule of Law

• Direct Democracy

• Representative Democracy

• Sovereign

A form of government in which the people elect governmental officials to run the government and make laws. Also known as a republic.

• Rule of Law

• Direct Democracy

• Representative Democracy

• Sovereign

A type of government where the king or queen's power is limited by law and they must share power with elected people.

• Rule of Law

• Constitutional Monarchy

• Representative Democracy

• Sovereign

The principle that a country has laws, nobody is above the laws, and the laws are fairly enforced.

• Rule of Law

• Autocracy

• Direct Democracy

• Sovereign

A government that is controlled by the wealthy, either directly or indirectly.

• Plutocracy

• Autocracy

• Direct Democracy

• Sovereign

A lack of government and law; can also mean confusion or chaos.

• Anarchy

• Autocracy

• Junta

• Dictatorship