What is a government?

Government - The body of persons that constitutes the running of a political unit or organization. A group of people that have the power to rule. It can also mean the system that the society uses to govern its people.

Types of Government - Are different ways groups of people in countries organize and make rules on how their society and country should be run.

Types of Government

Anarchy - A country that is in chaos because of war or civil unrest with the overthrow or change of the current government. In an anarchy, there is no government or lack of recognition of one.

Autocracy - A form of government where a single person has all legal and political power. An autocrat makes all decisions by himself or herself.

Communism - Communism is a type of government as well as an economic system. In a communist system, individual people do not own land, factories, or machinery. Instead, the government or the whole community owns these things. Everyone is supposed to share the wealth that they create, and there are no social classes.

Democracy - A democracy is a type of government of the people. This means that the way of governing depends on the will of those who are eligible to vote. In a democracy, citizens can run for public office at the federal level (country), regional level (provinces or territories), or local level (municipalities). When voters vote for a candidate at the federal or provincial level, they are also voting for the political party the candidate belongs to. If the candidate wins, their party also wins. The party that receives the most votes becomes the government.

Dictatorship - A dictatorship is a form of government in which a person rules with almost unlimited power. The ruler of a dictatorship is called a dictator.

Republic - A republic is a form of government in which citizens elect representatives to rule the state. Republics hold the idea that the power rests entirely with the people instead of a monarch. If people are unhappy with the way that their leaders are governing, they can vote them out of power. Republics depend on a charter or constitution.

Monarchy - A monarchy is a form of government that has a single person known as a monarch at its head of state. Monarchs usually use titles such as king, queen, emperor, or empress, and they remain in power for life unless they abdicate, meaning give up their position and authority.

Theocracy - A theocracy is a type of government where religious leaders or institutions hold power. Theocratic governments create laws or policies that are the same as or very similar to religious beliefs.

Totalitarian - Totalitarianism is a form of government like a dictatorship where a small group rules with almost unlimited power. Citizens’ lives are controlled, and there is no individual freedom.