An autocracy is a form of government in which one ruler has absolute control and decision-making power. Autocracies have existed since ancient times, when kings and emperors ruled over great countries and tribal lands, and they exist today in the form of absolute monarchies and dictatorships. Unlike in a democracy, the people living in countries with autocratic governments have no say in determining the nation’s laws, or in how those laws are enforced. An autocratic ruler is accountable to no one; there is no system of checks and balances, no constitutional limit on the ruler’s power, and the ruler is not held accountable by a cabinet of advisors, a system of courts, the people, or the press. Show
In autocratic governments, the power of the ruler is absolute; dissent is not tolerated. For this reason, scholars have often linked autocracy with totalitarian regimes, such as that of Adolf Hitler in Germany and Josef Stalin in the Soviet Union. Autocracy is a general concept rather than a specific form of government. Though autocratic rulers have complete power over the people of their countries, their methods of governing can be vastly different. Absolute monarchies and dictatorships still exist in modern times. Today’s kings and queens, as in ancient times, often rule by right of succession. Their royal lineage can be traced back to ancient times when their royal ancestors ruled by divine right—as it was widely believed that they descended from the gods. Dictators are absolute rulers who acquire their power rather than inherit it. Most commonly, dictators gain power as a result of revolution—typically, when a group of rebels rise up in protest and overthrow the existing government. Then, the dictator assumes control with the goal of establishing a new order. Dictators, especially military dictators, acquire their power by force. Throughout history, during times of political unrest, people have tended to accept the command of strong leaders who could take control of their countries. In fact, Niccolo Machiavelli, an Italian political philosopher from the 15th century, recommended autocracy as a temporary measure and as a means of restoring political order and ending dissent. Forms of GovernmentForms of government are categorized by the power source and power structure of any given state. Learning Objectives Compare and contrast the various forms of government Key TakeawaysKey Points
Key Terms
Government Government is the means by which state policy is enforced, as well as the mechanism for determining the policy of the state. A form of government, or form of state governance, refers to the set of political institutions by which a government of a state is organized (synonyms include "regime type" and "system of government"). Governments consist of two broad interplaying elements that generally
determine how a government is coded: the power source and the power structure. Power source refers to the individuals and institutions that exercise governing authority over a state and the means by which they obtain their power, while power structure refers to the system by which they are organized. Countries of the World, by Type of Government in 2011: This map shows all the countries of the word, colored according to their type of government. Blue represents full presidential republics, while green and yellow are presidential republics with less powerful presidents. Orange represents parliamentary republics. Red and pink are parliamentary constitutional monarchies, and purple represents absolute monarchies. Brown represents single-party republics, green shows countries where government has been suspended (e.g., military dictatorships), and grey countries do not fit any of the above categories. Forms of Government Governments with Aristarchy attributes are traditionally ruled by the
"best" people. Aristocracy refers to the rule by elite citizens; a system of governance in which a person who rules in an aristocracy is an aristocrat. It has come to mean rule by "the aristocracy" who are people of noble birth. A meritocracy refers to rule by the meritorious; a system of governance where groups are selected on the basis of people's ability, knowledge in a given area, and contributions to society. Finally, a technocracy refers to rule by the educated; a system of governance
where people who are skilled or proficient govern in their respective areas of expertise in technology would be in control of all decision making. Doctors, engineers, scientists, professionals and technologists who have knowledge, expertise, or skills, would compose the governing body, instead of politicians, businessmen, and economists. Democratic GovernmentsDemocracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Learning Objectives Discuss the central elements of direct and representative democracies Key TakeawaysKey Points
Key Terms
Introduction Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Democracy allows people to participate equally—either directly or through elected representatives—in the proposal, development, and creation of laws. It encompasses social, economic, and cultural conditions that enable the free and equal practice of political self-determination. The term originates from the
Greek word: δημοκρατία (dēmokratía), which translates to "rule of the people". This term was used around 400 BCE to denote the political systems then existing in Greek city-states, notably Athens. French Presidential Election: A woman casts her vote in the second round of the French presidential election of 2007. Direct Democracy Direct democracy is a form of democracy in which people vote on policy initiatives directly. This is different from a representative democracy, in which people vote for
representatives who then vote on policy initiatives. Depending on the particular system in use, it might entail passing executive decisions, making laws, directly electing or dismissing officials, and conducting trials. Two leading forms of direct democracy are participatory democracy and deliberative democracy. Swiss Assemblies: Landsgemeinde, or assembly, of the canton of Glarus, May 7, 2006, Switzerland. Representative DemocracyDirect democracy was very much opposed by the framers of the United States Constitution and some signatories of the Declaration of Independence. They saw a danger in majorities forcing their will on minorities. As a result, they advocated a representative democracy in the form of a constitutional republic over a direct democracy. For example, James Madison, in Federalist No. 10, advocates a constitutional republic over direct democracy precisely to protect the individual from the will of the majority. Representative democracy is a variety of democracy founded on the principle of elected people representing a group of people. For example, three countries which use representative democracy are the United States of America (a representative democracy), the United Kingdom (a constitutional monarchy) and Poland (a republic). It is an element of both the parliamentary system and presidential system of government and is typically used in a lower chamber such as the House of Commons (UK) or Bundestag (Germany). Democracy in the Contemporary World According to Freedom House, in 2007 there were 123 electoral democracies – up from 40 in 1972.
According to World Forum on Democracy, electoral democracies now represent 120 of the 192 existing countries and constitute 58.2 percent of the world's population. At the same time, liberal democracies—countries Freedom House regards as free and respectful of basic human rights and the rule of law—are 85 in number and represent 38 percent of the global population. In 2010 the United Nations declared September 15 the International Day of Democracy. Non-Democratic Governments: Authoritarianism, Totalitarianism, and DictatorshipUnlike democracy, authoritarianism and totalitarianism are forms of government where an individual or a single-party concentrates all power. Learning Objectives Discuss the central features and types of undemocratic governments Key TakeawaysKey Points
Key Terms
Introduction Authoritarianism
is a form of social organization characterized by submission to authority as well as the administration of said authority. In politics, an authoritarian government is characterized by highly concentrated and centralized power maintained by political repression and the exclusion of potential challengers. It uses political parties and mass organizations to mobilize people around the goals of the regime. Authoritarianism emphasizes arbitrary law rather than the rule of law, including election
rigging and political decisions being made by a select group of officials behind closed doors. Authoritarianism is marked by "indefinite political tenure" of an autocratic state or a ruling-party state. Communist Party of China: XVII Congress of the Communist Party of China held in 2007. TotalitarianismTotalitarianismis an extreme version of authoritarianism. Authoritarianism primarily differs from totalitarianism in that social and economic institutions exist free from governmental control. By contrast, totalitarianism is a political system where the state holds total authority over the society and seeks to control all aspects of public and private life wherever necessary. The term 'an authoritarian regime' denotes a state in which the single power holder - an individual 'dictator,' a committee or a junta or an otherwise small group of political elite - monopolizes political power. However, a totalitarian regime attempts to control virtually all aspects of the social life, including economy, education, art, science, private life, and morals of citizens. The concept became prominent in Western anti-communist political discourse during the Cold War era in order to highlight perceived similarities between Nazi Germany and other fascist regimes on the one hand, and Soviet communism on the other. Zbigniew Brzezinski (1977): A number of thinkers, including Zbigniew Brzezinski, have argued that Nazi and Soviet regimes were equally totalitarian. Political scientists Carl Friedrich and Zbigniew Brzezinski were primarily responsible for expanding the usage of the term in university social science and professional research, reformulating it as a paradigm for the Soviet Union as well as fascist regimes. For Friedrich and Brzezinski, the defining elements were intended to be taken as a mutually supportive organic entity composed of the following: an elaborating guiding ideology; a single mass party, typically led by a dictator; a system of terror; a monopoly of the means of communication and physical force; and central direction, and control of the economy through state planning. Such regimes had initial origins in the chaos that followed in the wake of World War I, at which point the sophistication of modern weapons and communications enabled totalitarian movements to consolidate power. Dictatorship A dictatorship is defined as an autocratic form of government in which the government is ruled by an individual: a dictator. In contemporary usage, dictatorship refers to an autocratic form of absolute rule by leadership unrestricted by law,
constitutions, or other social and political factors within the state. Non-Democratic Governments: Monarchy, Oligarchy, Technocracy, and TheocracySome nondemocratic governments can be classified into categories such as monarchies, oligarchies, theocracies and technocracies. Learning Objectives Recognize democratic and non-democratic forms of governance Key TakeawaysKey Points
Key Terms
IntroductionThe decline of monarchy: Postcard of ruling monarchs, taken in 1908 between February (accession of King Manuel II of Portugal) and November (death of Guangxu Emperor). Governments tend to fall between traditionally democratic and non-democratic forms. These forms of government are usually distinguished based on who controls the state, how that authority is justified, and in what ways leaders and governments are structurally organized based on these justifications. Monarchy A monarchy is a form of government in which sovereignty is actually or nominally embodied in a single individual, the monarch. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and rules for
life or until abdication. Monarchs may be autocrats (absolute monarchy) or ceremonial heads of state who exercise little or no power or only reserve power, with actual authority vested in a parliament or other body such as a constitutional assembly. Monarchs: This photograph depicts the King of Norway, Bulgaria, Portugal, Greece, Belgium, and Denmark. In a monarchy, the state is controlled by an individual who usually inherits the throne by birth. Crown Prince & Princess & Emperor Showa & Empress Kojun wedding 1959-4: Japanese Emperor Hirohito, Crown Prince Akihito, Crown Princess Michiko and Empress Nagako, 1959 Monarchies have existed throughout the world, although in recent centuries many states have abolished the monarchy and become republics. Advocacy of republics is called republicanism, while advocacy of monarchies is called monarchism. As of 2010 in Europe, there are twelve monarchies: seven kingdoms, one grand duchy, one papacy, and two principalities, as well as the diarchy of Andorra. Oligarchy Oligarchy is a form of power structure in which power effectively rests with a small number of people. These people could be distinguished by royalty, wealth, family ties, education, corporate, or military
control. Such states are often controlled by a few prominent families who pass their influence from one generation to the next. Forms of government and other political structures associated with oligarchy usually include aristocracy, meritocracy, plutocracy, military junta, technocracy, and theocracy. Other Forms of GovernanceIran's Theocracy: Iran is an example of a theocracy. Ali Khamenei, depicted here, current holds the position of Supreme Leader in Iran. The Supreme Leader is a religious figure who has arguably the most political power in Iran. Technocracy is a form of government in which experts in technology would be in control of all decision making. Scientists, engineers, and technologists who have knowledge, expertise, or skills, would compose the governing body instead of politicians, businessmen, and economists. In a technocracy, decision makers would be selected based upon how knowledgeable and skillful they are in their
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What type of government is ruled by a king or queen?Monarchy is the oldest form of government in the United Kingdom. In a monarchy, a king or queen is Head of State.
Which type of government has a king or queen and elected representatives?A constitutional monarchy is a form of monarchical government established under a constitutional system which acknowledges an elected or hereditary monarch as head of state.
In which a king or queen exercises supreme powers of government?In a monarchy, supreme power resides in the "sovereign", or king. In modern democracies, sovereign power rests with the people and is exercised through representative bodies such as Congress or Parliament.
What are two forms of government that is ruled by one person?Types of autocracy
Historical examples of autocracy include the Roman Empire and Nazi Germany. A dictatorship where power resides in the hands of one single person or polity. That person may be, for example, an absolute monarch or a dictator, but can also be an elected president.
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