Types of Governments

Different Types of Governments
Here's a rundown of the various forms of government, with definitions provided by

"The World Factbook." Absolute monarchy - a form of government where the
monarch rules unhindered, i.e., without any laws, constitution or legally organized
opposition.
Anarchy - a condition of lawlessness or political disorder brought about by the
absence of governmental authority.
Authoritarian - a form of government in which state authority is imposed onto many
aspects of citizens' lives.
Commonwealth - a nation, state or other political entity founded on law and united
by a compact of the people for the common good.
Communist - a system of government in which the state plans and controls the
economy and a single -- often authoritarian -- party holds power; state controls are
imposed with the elimination of private ownership of property or capital while
claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally
shared by the people (i.e., a classless society).
Confederacy (Confederation) - a union by compact or treaty between states,
provinces or territories that creates a central government with limited powers; the
constituent entities retain supreme authority over all matters except those delegated
to the central government.
Constitutional - a government by or operating under an authoritative document
(constitution) that sets forth the system of fundamental laws and principles that
determines the nature, functions and limits of that government.
Constitutional democracy - a form of government in which the sovereign power of the
people is spelled out in a governing constitution.
Constitutional monarchy - a system of government in which a monarch is guided by
a constitution whereby his/her rights, duties, and responsibilities are spelled out in
written law or by custom.
Democracy - a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the
people, but which is usually exercised indirectly through a system of representation
and delegated authority periodically renewed.
Democratic republic - a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens
entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them.
Dictatorship - a form of government in which a ruler or small clique wield absolute
power (not restricted by a constitution or laws).
Ecclesiastical - a government administrated by a church.
Emirate - similar to a monarchy or sultanate, a government in which the supreme
power is in the hands of an emir (the ruler of a Muslim state); the emir may be an
absolute overlord or a sovereign with constitutionally limited authority.
Federal (Federation) - a form of government in which sovereign power is formally
divided -- usually by means of a constitution -- between a central authority and a
number of constituent regions (states, colonies or provinces) so that each region
retains some management of its internal affairs; differs from a confederacy in that
the central government exerts influence directly upon both individuals as well as
upon the regional units.
Federal republic - a state in which the powers of the central government are
restricted and in which the component parts (states, colonies, or provinces) retain a
degree of self-government; ultimate sovereign power rests with the voters who chose
their governmental representatives.
Islamic republic - a particular form of government adopted by some Muslim states;
although such a state is, in theory, a theocracy, it remains a republic, but its laws are
required to be compatible with the laws of Islam.
Maoism - the theory and practice of Marxism-Leninism developed in China by Mao
Zedong (Mao Tse-tung), which states that a continuous revolution is necessary if the
leaders of a communist state are to keep in touch with the people.
Marxism - the political, economic and social principles espoused by 19th century
economist Karl Marx; he viewed the struggle of workers as a progression of historical
forces that would proceed from a class struggle of the proletariat (workers) exploited
by capitalists (business owners), to a socialist "dictatorship of the proletariat," to,
finally, a classless society -- Communism.
Marxism-Leninism - an expanded form of communism developed by Vladimir Lenin
from doctrines of Karl Marx; Lenin saw imperialism as the final stage of capitalism
and shifted the focus of workers' struggle from developed to underdeveloped
countries.
Monarchy - a government in which the supreme power is lodged in the hands of a
monarch who reigns over a state or territory, usually for life and by hereditary right;
the monarch may be either a sole absolute ruler or a sovereign - such as a king,
queen or prince - with constitutionally limited authority.
Oligarchy - a government in which control is exercised by a small group of individuals
whose authority generally is based on wealth or power.
Parliamentary democracy - a political system in which the legislature (parliament)
selects the government - a prime minister, premier or chancellor along with the
cabinet ministers - according to party strength as expressed in elections; by this
system, the government acquires a dual responsibility: to the people as well as to
the parliament.
Parliamentary government (Cabinet-Parliamentary government) - a government in
which members of an executive branch (the cabinet and its leader - a prime minister,
premier or chancellor) are nominated to their positions by a legislature or parliament,
and are directly responsible to it; this type of government can be dissolved at will by
the parliament (legislature) by means of a no-confidence vote or the leader of the
cabinet may dissolve the parliament if it can no longer function.
Parliamentary monarchy - a state headed by a monarch who is not actively involved
in policy formation or implementation (i.e., the exercise of sovereign powers by a
monarch in a ceremonial capacity); true governmental leadership is carried out by a
cabinet and its head - a prime minister, premier or chancellor - who are drawn from
a legislature (parliament).
Presidential - a system of government where the executive branch exists separately
from a legislature (to which it is generally not accountable).
Republic - a representative democracy in which the people's elected deputies
(representatives), not the people themselves, vote on legislation.
Socialism - a government in which the means of planning, producing and distributing
goods is controlled by a central government that theoretically seeks a more just and
equitable distribution of property and labor; in actuality, most socialist governments
have ended up being no more than dictatorships over workers by a ruling elite.
Sultanate - similar to a monarchy, a government in which the supreme power is in
the hands of a sultan (the head of a Muslim state); the sultan may be an absolute
ruler or a sovereign with constitutionally limited authority.
Theocracy - a form of government in which a Deity is recognized as the supreme civil
ruler, the Deity's laws are interpreted by ecclesiastical authorities (bishops, mullahs,
etc.); a government subject to religious authority.
Totalitarian - a government that seeks to subordinate the individual to the state by
controlling not only all political and economic matters, but also the attitudes, values
and beliefs of its population.

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Different Types of Governments

Here's a rundown of the various forms of government, with definitions provided by

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