Types of Government unit 1 lesson 1

State

Has population, fixed boundaries, sovereignty, maintained order by government and provides services

Nation

Group of people who believe they are united by common bonds

Force theory

Person or group uses violence to establish authority

Divine theory

Rulers of people were chosen by gods to govern

Social contract theory

People give up some freedoms in exchange for protection by a government

Family theory

Evolved over time starting with the primitive family

Constitution

Plan that provides rules for governing

Unitary system

All key power goes to central government, powers are given to the state and local government by the central government

Confederate system

Loose union of independent and sovereign states

Federal system

Power divided between national and state government

Monarchy

Royal family has absolute power over a government

Oligarchy

A few hold elite power

Authoritarianism

Similar to a dictatorship but there are checks and balances from other parts of society

Totalitarianism

Leader has total control over every aspect of citizen’s lives

Democracy

Power of governance is in the hands of the citizens