Unit 2 - Types of Government

Presidential Democracy

A type of democracy in which a president heads the executive branch and there is a separate legislative branch.

Parlimentary Democracy

A type of democracy in which executive and legislative functions both reside in an elected assembly or parliament.

Absolute Monarchy

A type of government in which a monarch (usually a king or queen) rules and has total power, with little to no restrictions.

Constitutional Monarchy

A type of government in which a monarch (usually a king or queen) rules, but has limitations on their power.

Dictatorship

A type of government in which a single leader has unlimited power. The leader gains and keeps power through the threat or use of force.

Oligarchy

A type of government in which a small group of citizens control decision-making.

Direct Democracy

A type of government in which the people directly vote on all law and issues. Everyone votes on everything.

Representative Democracy

A type of government in which the people elect leaders (representatives) to make decisions for them.

Democracy

A type of government in which the people rule, either directly or through electing representatives.

Limited Government

A type of government that has limits to its power (there are things the government is not allowed to do) and is accountable to the people. The opposite of an authoritarian government.

Authoritarian

A type of government that has unlimited power and is not accountable to the people.