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Forms of Government
Examines the various forms of government
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Democracy | a system where decisions are made based on the will of the citizens expressed through their elected representatives. |
| direct democracy | all citizens vote on all issues |
| indirect democracy | citizens elect representatives who decide issues |
| republic | citizens elect representatives who decide issues |
| oligarchy | rule by a small group |
| theocracy | rule by the church |
| plutocracy | rule by the rich |
| dictatorship | autocracy where all power is in the hands of one person |
| autocracy | rule by one person |
| absolute monarchy | king or queen with all power |
| constitutional monarchy | king or queen who share power under a constitution |
| US claims to be a | democratic republic |
| US actually is a | plutocracy |
| Ex. China | oligarchy |
| Ex. ancient Athens | direct democracy |
| Ex. England | constitutional monarchy |
| Ex. North Korea | dictatorship |
| demos | the people |
| cracy | rule |
| authoritarian | any system with emphasis that citizens must obey the authority of the government |
| totalitarian | any system that seeks to control every detail of the lives of all citizens including thought |
| Ex. Iraq | republic |
| The Greek word "Demos" (DEMOcracy) means ______________ | "The People" |
| The Greek word "Cratos" (demoCRACY) means ______________ | "power" or "strength" |
| Translated from the Greek, the word Democracy means ______________ | "The People Rule" |
| Kleptocracy | rule by thieves |