Classic Forms of Government Flashcards

Study Notes

Forms of Government

Dictatorship: A system where one individual holds absolute power, often achieved and maintained through force.
Direct Democracy: Citizens engage directly in law-making and decision-making through voting, with roots in ancient Greek practices.
Oligarchy: Governance by a small group, where power can be derived from various factors such as race, wealth, or social status.
Anarchy: A state of society without government or laws, characterized by a lack of control and structure.
Theocracy: A form of government where divine authority is recognized as the supreme authority, often intertwined with religious laws and practices.
Representative Democracy (Republic): Citizens elect officials to represent their interests, with these elected leaders responsible for the administration of government.
Monarchy: A political system headed by a single ruler, where power is typically inherited through family lineage.
Aristocracy: Rule by a privileged class, where authority and power are passed down through hereditary lines.
Timocracy: Governance by a small elite where power is organized through a hierarchy or chain of command.
Constitutional Monarchy: A hybrid system that combines elements of monarchy and democracy, where the monarch's powers are limited by a constitution or laws.
Autocracy: A government led by a single ruler with absolute power, not subjected to any legal limitations.
Republic: An alternative term for representative democracy, emphasizing elected representatives working on behalf of the citizens.

Description

This quiz features flashcards on classic forms of government, including definitions and examples of dictatorship, direct democracy, and oligarchy. Test your knowledge of these fundamental political systems and understand their characteristics.