TYPES OF GOVERNMENTS

Grade 6

Social Studies

Objective: To identify the different types of governments

(Democracy, Oligarchy, Monarchy, Dictatorship, Communism, Totalitarian and Revolutionary)

(1) Democracy

In a democracy, the government is elected by the people.

Everyone who is eligible to vote has a chance to have their say over who runs the country.

A democracy is determined either directly or through elected representatives.

Democracy

A system of government where the people rule

Examples: United States, India, Canada

Limited – Government

Brainpop

(2) Republic A republic is a country that has no

monarch. The head of the country is usually an

elected president.

(3)Representative Republic Democracy Citizens elect representatives Representatives pass laws The President, Prime Minister, or

Chancellor has limited power

Examples – United States, France, Germany, Mexico

Democracy vs. Republic in Democracy the majority rules

according to their whims (ruling body decides what they want to do)

in a Republic the Government rules according to law.  This law is framed in the Constitution to limit the power of Government and ensuring some rights and protection to minorities and individuals.

(4) Limited and Unlimited Limited Government – Ensures more freedom

for the citizens of that country.○ People’s rights are considered important○ Power is with the people○ Must follow a written constitution

Examples – United States, England

Unlimited Government – the political leaders have total control over their citizens

Examples – Cuba, North Korea

(5)Monarchy

A monarchy has a king, queen, emperor or empress.

The ruling position can be passed on to the ruler’s heirs (children)

Constitutional Monarchy

A monarch is head of state and a parliament or other legislature makes the laws

For example, the Queen of England does not have political power, but she is a symbol of the English tradition of having a royal family

Examples – England, Spain

Monarchy

- Limited Government – Current Government

- Unlimited Government - Early England (King Henry VIII, Queen Mary),

Example – England, Spain

Queen Elizabeth

(6)Oligarchy

A government in which a few people such as a dominant clan

or clique have power.

Oligarchy

A government in which a small group that is not elected, but share similar political ideas

Unlimited government:

The Taliban in Afghanistan

(7)Dictatorship

A country ruled by a single leader. The leader may use force to keep control and has all power.

In a military dictatorship, the army is in control.

Ex: Nazi’s

Dictatorship

Examples

Fidel Castro (Cuba) Adolf Hitler (Germany) Saddam Hussein (Iraq)

Unlimited

Hitler

(8)Totalitarian This is a

country with only one political party.

People are

forced to do what the government tells them and may also be prevented from leaving the country.

(9) Communism a system of social organization in which

all economic and social activity is controlled by

a totalitarian state dominated by a single

political party.

It provides its people's healthcare, education

and welfare. Communism

(10) Revolutionary

If a government is overthrown by force, the

new ruling group is sometimes called a

revolutionary government.