Types of Government
Major Types of Government
Aristotle came up with the ideas for many different cultures and locations. He saw three specific groups of government:
1.) autocracy (rule by one person),
2.) oligarchy (rule by a few persons),
3.) democracy (rule by many persons).
We have more groups today than what Aristotle had, although we can use these three terms as a basis for types of government.
1.) autocracy (rule by one person),
2.) oligarchy (rule by a few persons),
3.) democracy (rule by many persons).
We have more groups today than what Aristotle had, although we can use these three terms as a basis for types of government.
Autocracy
A system of government in which one person has all the authority and power to rule. There were emperors and kings with dynasties in moments of history who expressed personal rule and maintained their power through army and police powers. The last true autocrat was Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, who ruled until his demise in 1918. The Russian Revolution led to the fall of the Tzar. While Nicholas was in power, no group of nobles or church leaders could check his will.
Monarchy is a type of autocracy where one person has great power and is a member of the royal family. One key difference between a monarch and a autocrat is that a monarch's power has often been limited in some way by tradition or law. In France, a body of noble judges was supposed to review the king's laws to give them formal sanction.
Monarchies still exist today, but almost all of them are limited or constitutional monarchies where the king or queen is limited by the law. This can be found in Great Britain, Sweden, Japan, and the Netherlands. Their rulers either share power with elected legislatures or serve merely as ceremonial figures.
Monarchy is a type of autocracy where one person has great power and is a member of the royal family. One key difference between a monarch and a autocrat is that a monarch's power has often been limited in some way by tradition or law. In France, a body of noble judges was supposed to review the king's laws to give them formal sanction.
Monarchies still exist today, but almost all of them are limited or constitutional monarchies where the king or queen is limited by the law. This can be found in Great Britain, Sweden, Japan, and the Netherlands. Their rulers either share power with elected legislatures or serve merely as ceremonial figures.
A dictator is a single ruler, but this term emphasizes the fact that this person rules by force and by dictate alone. There is no support in custom or religion found for dictatorships. In modern times, dictatorship is often the result of a military coup or seizure of power.
Totalitarianism is a special type of single-ruler government. This ruler attempts to control the total society. Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin were totalitarian leaders. They tried to control all civil society, every aspect of civilian life. Totalitarianism is also known as fascism as in the case of Italy's Mussolini from 1922 through 1943.
Oligarchy
An oligarchy is a system of government in which a small group holds power. The leaders of Japan in the late 1800s is considered an oligarchy. China's communist leaders could be called an oligarchy. Many oligarchy leaders or dictators may say that they have the people at heart. They may hold elections but only have one candidate on the ballot.
Democracy
A democracy is a system of government in which rule is by the people. There are two ways that that rule is considered, through representatives or directly. The root of the word is "demos" or the people and "kratia" or rule. It is the rule of the people. Democracies haven't always been so focused on total rule by the people. Only since the 1800s has there been a concept for all people to have the right to vote. Before that, it was a focus on the wealthy and business owners are being able to vote. Soon, workers were given the ability to vote, followed by minorities and women.
Democracies can be direct or representative. A direct democracy is where all the citizens cast a vote directly on government issues and laws. This government survives only in a small society where it is practical for everyone to assemble, discuss, and vote.
In an indirect or representative democracy, the people elect representatives and give them the responsibility to make laws and conduct government. An assembly of the people's representatives may be a council, a legislature, congress, or a parliament. It is the most efficient way to ensure that the rights of the individual are represented.
Democracies can be direct or representative. A direct democracy is where all the citizens cast a vote directly on government issues and laws. This government survives only in a small society where it is practical for everyone to assemble, discuss, and vote.
In an indirect or representative democracy, the people elect representatives and give them the responsibility to make laws and conduct government. An assembly of the people's representatives may be a council, a legislature, congress, or a parliament. It is the most efficient way to ensure that the rights of the individual are represented.
In a republic, the head of state is not a king or a a queen, and voters elect representatives to run the government. Only a small percentage of people might be empowered to vote. Citizen participation is vital to a republic. In the United States, we have a democracy that is a republic, but all democracies are not republics. Great Britain is a democracy but not a republic. It has a constitutional monarch, Queen Elizabeth, as the head of state.
Characteristics of Democracy
Individual Liberty
Majority Rule with Minority Rights
Free Elections
Competing political parties
Majority Rule with Minority Rights
Free Elections
Competing political parties
Essential Elements for a Democracy
Citizen participation
A favorable economy
Widespread election
Strong civil society
Social consensus
A favorable economy
Widespread election
Strong civil society
Social consensus