AM GOV VOCAB + IDEAS

Kingship

position of a king/monarchy

Tyranny

one leader who holds total power with no limits

what do tyranny and kingship have in common?

they refer to rule by one individual

Aristocracy

power belongs to small privileged ruling class

Oligarchy

small group holds all the power to rule a country

what do aristocracy and oligarchy have in common?

they refer to rule by few in society

Polity

organized group living under a single system of government

Democracy

system of government where power belongs to the people

what do polity and democracy have in common?

they refer to rule by many in society

Republic

A representive/indirect democracy where eligible voters choose representatives to carry out their wishes

Constitutional Democracy/Republic

government draws its legitimacy from an authoritative document that defines the nation’s government, laws, and rights

Constitution

authoritative document that defines the nation’s government, laws, and rights

Monarchy

Single sovereign rules with existing laws + rights, power transfer is hereditary

Absolute Monarchy

Single sovereign rules with absolute power and authority, with no pre-existing laws + rights. Power transfer is hereditary

Marxism/Communism

Classless society where goods would be shared by all. Led under the guidence of an authoritarian ruling party

Totalitarianism

State controls all aspects of life, any dissent is punished by the ruling party elite

Dictatorship

Single person or small group exercises absolute power.

Theocracies

States with strong religious influence, no speration state and church, church controls the government.

Socialism

State provides many public goods like universal healthcare with rights found in democratic governments. But citizens are subject to high taxation.

Anarchy

No government authority exists whatsoever, total chaos ensuing.