forms of government

1. Know Your
Governments
DEFINITIONS

2. Instructions
Look at the definitions on Attachment E cont. Read these definitions
and then place the correct number next to the government types listed
on Attachment E.
This is all you have to do.

3. Types of Government
A system of government headed by a monarch as the only source of
power controlling all functions of state.
◦ Absolute Monarchy
◦ Power comes from their - birth, family or some believe from God (Divine
Right of Kings)
◦ Past Examples – Most of the countries in Europe and Asia during the Middle
Ages
◦ Current Examples – Saudi Arabia and other nations in the Middle East

4. Definitions
A system of government in which the executive
leaders (usually a prime minister and a cabinet) are
chosen by and responsible to the legislature
(parliament), as well as being members of the
legislature
◦ Parliamentary Democracy
◦ Power comes from the people.
They elect the members of
Parliament
◦ Past examples – Same as today
◦ Present examples – Canada, Australia and India

5. Definitions
A system of government characterized
by a separation of powers between
independent and coequal executive,
judicial and legislative branches.
◦ Presidential Democracy
◦ Power comes from the people
(Popular Sovereignty – We elect
our leaders))
◦ Past – Same as today
◦ USA, Mexico, Brazil and most
nations in South America

6. Types of Governments
A system of government headed by a monarch
whose powers are delineated (spelled out) in the
fundamental law of the state.
◦ Constitutional Monarchy
◦ Power comes from the people. They have the power to
do away with the monarch.
◦ Past Examples – Same as today
◦ Present Examples – Great Britain and Japan,
Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Spain etc.

7. Types of Government
A system of government in which those who rule usually
acquire and maintain authority by force and cannot be held
responsible to the will of the people.
◦ Dictatorship
◦ Power – Comes through controlling the military
◦ Past examples – USSR, many nations in Africa and Latin
America
◦ Present examples – North Korea
and Cuba

8. Definitions
A system of government headed by one or more religious
leaders who claim to rule by divine authority
◦ Theocracy
◦ Power – From religious writings and beliefs as interpreted
by religious leaders
◦ Past – Afghanistan
◦ Present - Iran