Types of Government and Electoral Boundaries

Democracy

A country in which citizens elect leaders and can run for office.

Autocracy

A country that is run according to the interests of the ruler rather than the people.

Anocracy

A country that is not fully democratic or autocratic but rather a mix of two.

Cambodia

Unstable government with abrupt changes in leadership.

Thailand

Constant political upheaval since 1993.

Burma

Adverse armed conflict, changes in leadership.

Nigeria

Open anocracy, closer to democracy.

Zimbabwe

Electoral conflicts and human rights violations.

Uganda

Transitioned from autocracy to closed democracy.

Russia

Open anocracy - democratic elections but ones that are not very free.

Ukraine

Questionable elections.

Mexico

Country with a successful transition from autocracy to democracy.

Taiwan

Country with a successful transition from autocracy to democracy.

Taiwan

Country with a successful transition from autocracy to democracy.

Selection of Leaders

In democracies, citizens can elect leaders; in autocracies, leaders are selected according to clearly defined rules of succession from within the political elite.

Citizen Participation

In democracies, citizens may participate at all levels of government; in autocracies, citizens' participation is restricted or suppressed.

Checks and Balances

Democracies have a system to check power; autocracies have leaders who exercise power without any meaningful checks.

Unitary States

Place most power in the hands of the federal government, works best in states with few internal cultural divisions and a strong sense of national unity.

Federal States

Allocate strong political power to units of local government within the country.

Electoral Geography

Boundaries separating legislative districts within the US and other countries are redrawn periodically to ensure each has about the same population.

Gerrymandering

If boundaries are unfairly created in order to favor a party.

Wasted Votes

Spreads opposition supporters across many districts but in minority.

Excess Vote

Concentrates supporters into a few districts.

Stacked Votes

Links distant areas of like-minded votes through oddly shaped boundaries.