This document discusses 9 common forms of government: democracy, communism, socialism, oligarchy, aristocracy, monarchy, theocracy, colonialism, totalitarianism, and military dictatorship. For each form, it provides a brief definition and sometimes an example. Democracy allows people to choose leaders through fair elections and majority rule. Communism replaces private property with public ownership under a single-party system. Socialism encourages cooperation over competition with a centralized government controlling collectively owned resources.