Governments

What is a fundamental difference between various forms of government?

• How many people are in charge and how they are chosen.

• The number of political parties allowed.

• The type of economic system they implement.

• Whether they have a written constitution.

In a direct democracy, how are decisions typically made?

• By a small group of elected representatives.

• By each individual casting one vote on a matter.

• Through a system of checks and balances.

• By a single leader with absolute power.

How do presidential and parliamentary democracies differ in how their leaders are chosen?

• In presidential systems, people vote for a president and legislators separately; in parliamentary systems, people vote for legislators who then appoint a prime minister.

• Presidential systems have a monarch, while parliamentary systems do not.

• In presidential systems, the president is chosen by a lottery; in parliamentary systems, the prime minister is chosen by popular vote.

• Presidential systems have a single ruling party, while parliamentary systems always have coalitions.

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Which characteristic is most commonly associated with authoritarian governments?

• A strong emphasis on individual liberties and free press.

• Power concentrated in one person or a small group with few checks.

• Regular, free, and fair elections.

• A system of federalism that distributes power.