10 COMMON
FORMS OF
GOVERNMENT
The powers, limitations, and forms of government can be a tricky
subject to understand.
When economic policies, political structures, and philosophical
ideologies start to overlap, things can get complex.
Democracy
Democracy is a form of government that allows the people to choose
leadership. The primary goal is to govern through fair representation
and prevent abuses of power.
The result is a system that requires discourse, debate, and compromise
to satisfy the broadest possible number of public interests, leading
tomajority rule. Democracies advocate for fair and free elections,
civic participation, human rights protections, and law and order.
Real-World Example
Iceland had numerous forms of government following its settlement in
874 AD. An independent commonwealth, monarchs, and colonial governments
ruled the island for thousands of years. After signing a treaty with
Denmark in 1918, Iceland became a fully independent and sovereign state.
The county founded its republic in 1944 and has since risen to become
one of the world's highest-ranked democracies through systems of social
welfare, universal health care, and tertiary education.
Communism
Communism is a centralized form of government led by a single party that
is often authoritarian in its rule. Inspired by German philosopher Karl
Marx, communist states replace private property and a profit-based economy
with public ownership and communal control of economic production, such as
labor, capital goods, and natural resources. Citizens are part of a classless
society that distributes goods and services as needed.
Real-World Example
The Soviet Union was a one-party, communist state in Northern Eurasia from
1922 to 1991. Most modern communist states embrace Marxism-Leninism, a
communist ideology based on Marx and Russian revolutionary and politician
Vladimir Lenin's doctrines. Countries that retain single-party,
Marxist-Leninist rulership include Cuba, Laos, Vietnam, and the People's
Republic of China.
Socialism
Socialism is a system that encourages cooperation rather than competition
among citizens. Citizens communally own the means of production and
distribution of goods and services, while a centralized government manages
it. Each person benefits from and contributes to the system according to
their needs and ability.
Real-Life Example
Socialism is the cornerstone of the Scandinavian nations of Denmark, Finland,
Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. They all adhere to socialist policies that combine
free-market capitalism with extensive public works, including free healthcare,
free education, a comprehensive welfare state, and high percentages of unionized
workers. This approach essentially combines the collective nature of communism
with the private ownership and competitiveness of capitalism.
Oligarchy
Oligarchies are governments in which a collection of individuals rules over a
nation. A specific set of qualities, such as wealth, heredity, and race, are
used to give a small group of people power. Oligarchies often have authoritative
rulers and an absence of democratic practices or individual rights.
Real-World Example
The government that ruled South Africa from 1948 to 1991 was a racially constructed
oligarchy. The minority white population exercised dominance and imposed segregation
over the nation's majority Black population, controlling policy, public administration,
and law enforcement. Following an anti-apartheid movement, the country adopted a liberal
democracy that ultimately gave all ethnic and linguistic groups in South Africa political
representation.
Aristocracy
Aristocracy refers to a government form in which a small, elite ruling class — the
aristocrats — have power over those in lower socioeconomic strata. Members of the
aristocracy are usually chosen based on their education, upbringing, and genetic or
family history. Aristocracies often connect wealth and ethnicity with both the ability
and right to rule.
Real-World Example
Aristocracy originated in ancient Greece; the term derives from the Greek word,
aristokratia, meaning "rule of the best." Aristocracies were the dominant
governments during most medieval and modern periods across Europe. Aristocrats
led major countries, including Britain, Germany, and Russia, until World War I,
when other government forms gained popularity.
Monarchy
Monarchy is a power system that appoints a person as head of state for life or
until abdication. Authority traditionally passes down through a succession line
related to one's bloodline and birth order within the ruling royal family, often
limited by gender. There are two types of monarchies: constitutional and absolute.
Constitutional monarchies limit the monarch's power as outlined in a constitution,
while absolute monarchies give a monarch unlimited power.
Real-World Example
Today, 45 nations have some form of monarchy, though the concept has become
increasingly diluted with the evolution of democratic principles. In the
United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth II's role as a monarch is largely symbolic.
But monarchs in other countries, including Morocco, Oman, and Saudia Arabia,
still have far-reaching political authority.
Theocracy
Theocracy refers to a form of government in which a specific religious ideology
determines the leadership, laws, and customs. In many instances, there is little
to no distinction between scriptural laws and legal codes. Likewise, religious
clergy will typically occupy leadership roles, sometimes including the highest
office in the nation.
Real-Life Example
Iran is perhaps the most important and powerful theocratic state in the world today.
The ayatollahs — Shiite religious leaders — rule the country. Among them is a
"supreme leader" who serves as head of state, delegates authority to other religious
leaders, and presides over the elected president. The Sharia — the Islamic faith's
primary legal doctrine — dictates the country's legal, judiciary, and administrative
codes.
Colonialism
Colonialism is a form of government in which a nation extends its sovereignty over
other territories. In other words, it involves the expansion of a nation's rule
beyond its borders. Colonialism often leads to ruling over indigenous populations
and exploiting resources. The colonizer typically installs its economy, culture,
religious order, and government form to strengthen its authority.
Real-World Example
In the 15th century, European monarchies launched an age of nautical exploration
that led to several notable colonial governments. British, French, Spanish, and
Dutch colonists spread their influence and authority throughout the New World,
dismantling and sometimes eradicating entire cultures and peoples in the process.
One of the most familiar cases is the thirteen colonies, established after North
America's colonization by Britain beginning in 1587 and later founded as the United
States of America.
Totalitarianism
Totalitarianism is an authoritarian form of government in which the ruling party
recognizes no limitations whatsoever on its power, including in its citizens' lives
or rights. A single figure often holds power and maintains authority through
widespread surveillance, control over mass media, intimidating demonstrations of
paramilitary or police power, and suppression of protest, activism, or political
opposition.
Real-World Example
Although North Korea labels itself as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea,
it acts as a totalitarian state. Kim Jong-un, the third "supreme leader" in the
country's Kim dynasty, rules with singular and unchallenged authority, commanding
his public without political opposition. Criticism of the supreme leader or protest
against his policies are crimes punishable by death, as are countless other crimes
for which due process does not occur.
Military Dictatorship
A military dictatorship is a nation ruled by a single authority with absolute power
and no democratic process. The head of state typically comes to power in a time of
upheavals, such as high unemployment rates or civil unrest. They usually lead the
nation's armed forces, using it to establish their brand of law and order and
suppress the people's rights. Dictators dismiss due process, civil liberties, or
political freedoms. Dissent or political opposition can be dangerous or even deadly
for the country's citizens.
Real-World Example
There are about 50 nations in the world with a dictator. One of them is Thailand,
where General Prayut Chan-o-cha took power in 2014 following widespread protests
against the government. Chan-o-cha declared martial law, dissolved the nation's
senate, and placed himself in control. Since then, Thailand has persisted under
dictatorial military rule. The military junta, called the National Council for
Peace and Order, imposes nationwide curfews, forbids political gatherings,
threatens arrest for political opponents or activists, controls the media, and
enforces widespread internet censorship.
10 Common Forms
of Government
https://thebestschools.org/magazine/common-forms-of-government-study-starters/
BACK TO TOP
Fact-Checking
https://www.poynter.org/category/fact-checking/
Foundations Magazine
http://www.foundationsmag.com/index.html
The Anti-Defamation League
https://www.adl.org/
Eurovoc
http://eurovoc.europa.eu/
BACK TO TOP
GOVERNMENT
HOME
E-MAIL