Systems of Government

Form of government where the ruler has complete authority over the government and the lives of the people he or she governs

Absolute Monarchy

Unrestricted PowerGain power through heredity

or marriage“Divine Right of Kings”Positives?Negatives?

Absolute Monarchy

King Mswati III, Swaziland

Modern Examples

King Abdullah, Saudi Arabia

Modern Examples

a monarchy governed according to a constitution that limits and defines the powers of the monarch

Constitutional Monarchy

Limited PowerToday most monarchs give up power, position

is title onlyPros:

Govern by rules, not personal feelingsCons:

Irrelevant Expensive

Constitutional Monarchy

King Abdullah II, Jordan

Modern Examples

Sheikh Saad Al Abdullah Al Salim Al Sabah, Kuwait

Modern Examples

Form of government in which the party with the greatest representation in the parliament (legislature) forms the government, its leader becoming prime minister or chancellor.

The parties in the minority serve in opposition to the majority and have the duty to challenge it regularly.

The prime minister may be removed from power whenever he loses the confidence of a majority of the ruling party or of the parliament

Parliamentary Democracy

Parliamentary Democracy

Parliamentary Democracy

Members of Parliament elected to serve a certain period of timeEarly Elections PossibleNeed majority to stay in power

Pros:Avoid legislative gridlockAccountabilityEasily ReplaceableCons:

Easily Replaceable

Parliamentary Democracy

India

Modern Examples

Japan

Modern Examples

A system of government where an executive branch is led by a president who is often elected by the people. This branch exists separately from the legislature.

Presidential Democracy

Direct Elections, President elected by peopleChecks & Balances: President and legislature

work separate from each otherPresident and Legislature serve fixed termsPros:

People decideChecks & BalancesStabilityCons

Gridlock

Presidential Democracy

United States

Modern Examples

South Africa

Modern Examples

The form of government in which absolute power is exercised by a single person/dictator.

Dictatorship

Dictator holds unlimited powerCensorshipOne-party rulePros:

Actions easily takenCons:

OppressiveStrict rules, little freedom

Dictatorship

North Korea

Modern Examples

North Korean Propoganda

Form of government in which the official policy is to be governed by immediate divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided

Government guided by specific religion

Theocracy

“Rule of God”"God” himself is recognized as the head of

the stateHierarchy of the government identical with

the administrative hierarchy of the religion or….

Government hierarchy subordinate to the religious hierarchy

Theocracy

Iran

Modern Example