Download Types of Governments

Types of
Governments
Theocracy
Absolute
Monarchy
Constitutional
Monarchy
Meaning
Ruled by priests or religious
leaders and have full authority in
civil and religious matters
Process/
Structure
New rulers are appointed, inherit their
positions, or chosen
Citizen Participation/
Power
None
Leaders make the rules
Ruled by kings or queens whose
power supposedly comes from
God or gods and is the final word
or absolute. These types of
governments usually follow
dynasties
The only way to get your position is from a
relative. Dynasties are passed on from
generation to generation
None
Government in which a king or
queen acts as Head of State, while
the ability to make and pass
legislation with an elected
Parliament. A Prime Minister is
elected from Parliament
King/Queen is passed on from generation to
generation.
Complete
Parliament elects a Prime Minister
King/Queen has absolute
power
Types of
Governments
Meaning
Process/
Structure
Citizen Participation/
Power
Dictatorships
Ruled by one person (usually
male), a dictator, and has complete
(total) power
They get their power by seizing/taking it or
being voted in. With use of propaganda and
intimidation, they make changes in their
government
Gains position with civilian
and military support when
the civilians were revolting,
THEN, they take all the
power and advantages for
themselves once in power
Parliamentary
Democracy
Ruled by a cabinet, where there is
an appointed Prime Minister, but
may also have a king or queen as a
symbol
People elect their representatives,
representatives select a Prime Minister and all
officers of the cabinet
Complete
Presidential
Democracy
Ruled by representatives of the
people and have a President as
ruler/leader
The people elect their representatives and their
leader. Laws are written in the form of a
Constitution
Complete