Types of government

Definition

Types of government classify political systems by how power is held and exercised. Major types include democracy (power held by the people), monarchy (power held by a king or queen), oligarchy (power held by a small elite group), autocracy (power held by one ruler), and theocracy (power derived from religious authority).

Examples

  • The United States is a federal republic, a form of representative democracy
  • North Korea is a totalitarian autocracy under the Kim family dynasty
  • The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy where the monarch's power is limited by Parliament

Related Terms

Purposes of government Democratic ideals Constitutional principles Federalism

Study This Concept

Practice types of government with free review games in these units:

U.S. Government Unit 1: Foundations of Government