Types of Governments & Economies Practice Quiz

If a country is referred to as a sovereign state, it means that it is

• an area ruled over by a higher power, like a colonial authority

• an independent self-governing political entity - no one else controls them

• a country that has a king or queen

• an area that shares a culture, history, and language

Answer explanation

The United States is a sovereign state - no one controls us. But Puerto Rico is NOT sovereign, it is controlled by the United States as a territory of the US.

The difference between a nation and a state is that:

• a state is a self-governing, sovereign territory

• a nation is a a group of people with a shared culture, history, and language

• that there are many nations of people who do not have their own state

• there are states that have multiple nations included

• All of the above

Answer explanation

Examples of nation and state relationships:

• Nation-state: A state that is dominated by a single nation, such as Japan.

• Stateless nation: A nation without its own sovereign state, such as the Kurds or Roma.

• Multinational state: A state that contains more than one nation, such as Belgium, the United Kingdom (Great Britain), and Canada.

What is the difference between a totalitarian country that is an autocracy and one that is authoritarian?

• An autocracy is a democracy and authoritarian means having no authority

• An autocracy is the same as anarchy and authoritarian means there is someone in charge

• A totalitarian country is BOTH an autocracy AND is authoritarian

• A totalitarian country is NEITHER an autocracy NOR is it authoritarian

Answer explanation

North Korea is the only totalitarian state/country left. The leader has TOTAL control over everyone. With one person in charge, that makes it an autocracy. An autocracy IS ALWAYS authoritarian because it means the authorities have a TON of power over the citizens.

The king or queen is more of a symbol or figurehead, an elected government takes care of most governmental functions.

• Absolute Monarcy

• Constitutional Democracy

• Absolute Dictatorship

• Constitutional Monarchy

Answer explanation

King Charles of Great Britain is a Constitutional Monarch - He is a king who is more of a symbol of his country instead of holding any real power to control the government.

Citizens are directly involved in day-to-day governing of the country like in Ancient Athens, Greece.    

• Constitutional Monarchy

• Direct Democracy

• Representative Democracy

• Representative Oligarchy

Answer explanation

In a Direct Democracy - all citizens may speak about, vote DIRECTLY on laws, and in Ancient Athens - directly ran the courts, lawmaking sessions, and finances of Athens. In modern-day Switzerland, they have a Direct Democracy several times a year when everyone gets to vote on laws directly.

Citizens elect leaders to represent their rights and interests in government such as the United States and Brazil.

• Direct Democracy

• Direct Monarchy

• Representative Democracy

• Representative Oligarchy

Answer explanation

We, the United States, have a Representative Democracy. When we vote, we are choosing people to represent us for President, Senator, House of Representatives (National Level), as well as Governor, Senator, House of Representatives (State Level), and local governmental roles as well, like sheriff, judges, district attorney, etc.

Rule by a king or queen, with absolute power. Power is passed down through the family.    

• Absolute Monarchy

• Constitutional Monarchy

• Representative Democracy

• Oligarchy

Answer explanation

Mohammed bin Salman is the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and acts in the role of King for his ailing/aging father. He rules with total power - what he says goes. One of his sons will be the next king after him.

A category of government in which one person has all the power  

• Democracy

• Oligarchy

• Autocracy

• Junta

Answer explanation

This overarching category of people who rule by themselves includes dictatorships and absolute monarchies.

A form of government where the rulers claim to be ruling on behalf of a set of religious ideas, or as direct agents of God.

• Democracy

• Dictatorship

• Anarchy

• Theocracy

Answer explanation

Theo means god in Greek and cracy means government, so theocracy = government according to the word or will of God. The Vatican is a Theocracy led by the Pope. Iran and Afghanistan have Muslim Theocracies where the Qur'an, the Muslim holy book, helps control laws and who is in power.

A government ruled by an elite group of people based on social class, group membership, or race.

• Dictatorship

• Anarchy

• Oligarchy

• Autocracy

Answer explanation

In an Oligarchy you have to be in the "In Group" to be able to have political power. From Greek (oligoi: few) and (arch: rule) it means rule by the few. You might need to be approved by the leader to hold office, or belong to the one approved political party, or be a particular race, social class, or religion.