types of government

government definition

a system that rules & manages a group of ppl by making/enforcing laws, providing order & security, and meeting the ppl’s common needs

what does a gov do?

makes & enforces laws, protects ppl, manages money, represents the ppl, provides services

socialism definition

• gov owns many large industries & is very involved in plps lives

• provides them with education, healthcare, welfare, etc while allowing private citizens to own other businesses

socialism advantages

• balance between wealth & earnings

• equal access to healthcare & education

• breaks down social barriers

socialism disadvantages

• bureaucracy hampers the delivery of services

• ppl are unmotivated to develop entrepreneurial skills

  • gov has too much control

communism definition

political & economic theory where gov owns all businesses & gives out all of society’s resources equally

communism advantages

• embodies equality

• healthcare, employment, education is accessible to all

• no monopolies

communism disadvantages

• hampers personal growth (promotes greed, laziness)

• gov has power to dictate & run ppl’s lives

• no financial freedom

dictatorship definition

rule by a single leader who was not elected, may use force to keep control

dictatorship advantages

• power centralized in a single person (efficient)

• complete control of the military & police → can put an end to political unrest & maintain peace & order

dictatorship disadvantages

• dictators can abuse citizens who opposed his rule

• citizens may demand that the dictator return control to elected officials → lead to riots or civil war

theocracy definition

rulers claim to be ruling on behalfof a set of religious ideas, or as direct agents of a deity

theocracy advantages

• single state-supported religion encourages social & political unity

• ensures that leaders make their decisions in line w/ citizens’ values & beliefs

theocracy disadvantages

• making sure everyone follows 1 religion is hard

• citizens who don’t believe in the majority’s religion can have their rights abused

constitutional monarchy definition

where a parliament (elected officials) & the monarch (head of state) rule together under the law

constitutional monarchy advantages

• there’s continuity where the monarch has to limited term

• history, culture, & tradition are preserved

• balance of power

constitutional monarchy disadvantages

• progression is more difficult w/ tradition & customs

• monarch can’t be removed

• promotes class privilege

oligarchy definition

an elite group rules in their own interests, esp the accumulation of wealth & privilege

oligarchy advantages

• rapid decisions

• women are more likely to ascend to power

• debate still exists

oligarchy disadvantages

• no change to status quo

• free speech falls to wayside

• middle class is squeezed out

democracy definition

gov is elected by the ppl, everyone who can vote has a say

democracy advantages

• open for change

• offers representation

• promotes equality

• ppl can get involved & voice issues

democracy disadvantages

• opportunity for corruption

• can lead to wrong leadership choices

• favors the majority

republic definition

led by representatives of voters; each is individually chosen for a set period of time

republic advantages

• elected representatives

• power of voting

• individualism

republic disadvantages

• potential for inefficiency

• risk of unaccountable representatives

fascism definition

strong centralized gov w/ stringent social & economic control often led by acharismatic dictator & categorized by fervent patriotism

fascism advantages

• prioritizes welfare of the country

• promotes socioeconomic equality

• speeds up decision making

• improves peace & order

fascism disadvantages

• leads to power abuse

• prevents freedom of speech

• widen the divide between rich & poor

• abuses certain groups of ppl

feudalism definition

peasants & vassals serve a powerful Lord who protects them & takes care of their economic needs

feudalism advantages

• stability of infrastructure w/ goods & services

• organized system of protection

• awesome if you’re a lord

feudalism disadvantages

• divides rich & poor

• serfs forfeited rights & paid heavy taxes to keep their house

• no independence

capitalism definition

free-market economy where ppl own their own businesses & must buy services for private use, such as healthcare

capitalism advantages

• the dominant economic system in developed countries

• some tenants of capitalism are cornerstones of representative democracy

• linked with economic growth

capitalism disadvantages

• focused on profit

• emphasizes consumption

• limits gov in enforcing fair play rule