Forms of Government Quiz

A government is simply a system for controlling, or governing, a state. The word government can also be used to refer to the collective group of people that exercise executive authority in a state. Governments may or may not work to improve the lives of citizens.

American citizens elect leaders to represent their interests. This type of democracy, sometimes referred to as a republic, differs from a direct democracy, where every citizen votes on every law.

In a dictatorship, the will of a single leader has the force of law. Dictators often rise to power from a military background and use their troops to both take and keep power.

Confederations are political arrangements between otherwise independent political units. Confederations handle matters that would otherwise be difficult for member states to handle alone, like national defense and international trade. A modern example is the European Union.

In a monarchy, the sovereign bequeaths leadership positions to family members, typically in accordance with a clearly-defined succession protocol. Although many monarchies were overturned or had their powers curtailed in the last two centuries, this is still a common form of government. For example, the governments of Belgium, Sweden, and Thailand are ruled by King Philippe, Queen Margrethe II, and King Rama X respectively.

Oligarchies consolidate a government’s power into the hands of a group of individuals usually linked by a common trait like military strength, wealth, or nobility. They are often tyrannical, with no mechanism to hold leaders accountable to the general population.

Communism is a type of socialism that denies the rights of private ownership and aims to eliminate disparities in wealth and class. Communists such as Karl Marx also believed that, after a transition period, "the state" would become unnecessary and wither away.

Communism in the 20th Century had a poor track record. Communist regimes generally started their rule with mass murder of political opponents and "enemies of the people." This was followed by seizures of land, resulting in famines and mass starvation. Industrialization campaigns often had some success, but were focused largely on military goods. While ordinary citizens suffered greatly, the Party leaders had a much better life.

In a theocracy, religion guides all decision-making. Laws are created and enforced in accordance with holy texts and/or divine directives as interpreted by its religious leaders.

Virtually every country has a written constitution of some type. These documents lay out the core tenets of law for a nation, establish the power structure for its leaders and legislators, and set up a method of law enforcement. Dictatorships usually have constitutions as well, in order to give legitimacy to their regime and as a tool to extend control over their country.

Direct democracy puts all decision-making power into the hands of the people. The most famous direct democracy is ancient Athens. The conditions of the modern world, i.e., the size of both nations and their populations, preclude its use at a national level today.

There are many varieties of socialism, with social ownership as the common element between them. Attempts at true social ownership have generally led to poverty and tyranny.

However, the ideology known as "social democracy" has been successful in many countries. Social democracies implement economic and social interventions that are meant to promote social justice within the framework of a capitalist economy. They are characterized by democracy, private ownership, free markets, income redistribution through taxation, extensive regulations, and generous welfare programs.

Parliamentary systems of government are not subject to the separation of powers central to the U.S. Constitution. After a public election, a parliamentary legislature both nominates and chooses its executives from the elected representatives. Those same leaders can simply be removed from their position with a vote of “no-confidence” by the legislature, which results in a new election.

Anarchy refers to states with no system of government or no central rule. Anarchism is a political philosophy which advocates for stateless societies based on voluntary associations.

Authoritarian governments do not hold those doing the ruling accountable to those over whom they rule.

In a federation the relationship between the states and the central government is typically defined by a constitution, and this relationship cannot be unilaterally altered by the states or by the federal political body.

Of the governments listed, a democracy is the only type that, by definition, allows citizens to freely and fairly choose their leaders. While many less-democratic governments opt to hold elections, they are typically only for show. Corruption and propaganda ensure that the results are preordained rather than the true will of the people.

A confederation is a group of nations or states, united for common purposes, in which the component states retain considerable independence. The thirteen states created a confederation when they ratified the Articles of Confederation on March 1, 1781. This document served as the first constitution of the United States of America. It was designed to preserve the independence and sovereignty of the states.

Despot is a derogatory term for a dictator deemed especially oppressive in their rule.

Fascism is a political movement or regime that places extreme pride on country and race. Fascist regimes are headed by dictators who promote severe economic and social control while suppressing any opposition.

Transitional governments are temporary legal systems during a period of political change. These governments often rely on military forces to keep the peace while a new system is established.