This document outlines three main forms of government: autocracy, oligarchy, and democracy. Autocracy is rule by a single individual like a dictator or absolute monarch. Oligarchy is rule by a small group, like in apartheid-era South Africa. Democracy is rule by the people, with examples given of policies like majority rule through elected representatives, free and fair elections, political parties, and respect for civil liberties and minority rights.

2.  Autocracy
◦ – power and authority reside in a single
individual____
◦ (examples: _dictatorship_ or _absolute monarchy)
 Oligarchy
◦ a __small group___ holds power in the government
◦ (example: South Africa during apartheid, see chart)
 Democracy
◦ the __people___ hold the sovereign power of gov’t
◦ (example: __Australia__________)
Word Bank:
Australia people
dictatorship absolute
single individual small group

3.  gov’t works to secure an _equal opportunity__
for people to develop their own abilities
 based on a _majority rule__ through people’s
elected representatives, but respects the rights
of minorities
 based on _free_ _&_ _open___ elections in
which every citizen has the right to vote
◦ every vote has __equal weight_____
◦ candidates can freely express their views
 _political parties__ choose candidates for office
◦ respect the voters’ decisions in elections
◦ act as loyal opposition

4. ◦ Conducive = ___tending to promote or assist___________
 countries where citizens participate ___fully______
in civic life
 stable, growing _economies___ with a large middle
class
 a public _school system_ open to all people
 strong civil society in which a network of
__voluntary_____ organizations exist
__independently__ from the government (including
economic groups, religious groups, and many
others)
 the people accept __democratic values__ such as
individual liberties and equality