Types of Government and Power Diffusion

Flashcards covering various forms of government, power diffusion, and the roles of politics and government.

Democracy

A system of government where power is vested in the people, either through direct participation or by electing representatives.

Monarchy

A form of government ruled by a hereditary leader, such as a king or queen.

Oligarchy

A government form where a small group of people, often distinguished by wealth or family, hold power.

Theocracy

A system of governance in which religious leaders govern based on divine guidance or religious doctrine.

Confederate Government

A system comprising a loose alliance of independent states where most power resides with local states, leaving the central government very weak.

Federal Government

A government system in which power is shared between a central authority and regional governments through a constitution.

Unitary Government

A system where power is concentrated in a central government; subnational units possess only the powers granted by the central authority.

Purpose of Government

To serve as the formal institution that maintains order and stability in society.

Purpose of Politics

The process by which a society distributes and exercises power to make decisions.