Forms of Governments Unit 2: Human Geography - Governments Limited vs. Unlimited Government Limited Government: A government limited by the citizens through checks and balance. Everyone, even authority figures must obey all rules stated in a strong Constitution Ex: Democracy and Republic Unlimited Government: Control is placed entirely in the leader's hands and his/her appointees. No limit is placed on the leader’s power. Government has no or weak Constitution. Ex: Monarchy, Dictatorship, Theocracy, Oligarchy Limited Government Democracy: a system of government in which political power is held by the people Parliamentary Democracy: democratic form of government in which the party with the greatest representation in the parliament (legislature) forms the government, its leader becoming prime minister or chancellor. Ex: Germany Ruled by Many Limited Government Republic: a system of government in which the people elect representatives to make policies and laws for them. Ex: United States of America Ruled by Many Unlimited Government Dictatorship: Military leader who becomes the leader of a country often through violent means. Ex: North Korea, Cuba Ruled by One Unlimited Government Monarchy: a form of government headed by a king or queen who inherits the position by birth, rules for life, and holds power that can range anywhere between limited to absolute. Ex: Saudi Arabia Limited Power: Ruled by Few Absolute Power: Ruled by One Unlimited Government Oligarchy: a form of government in which a small group (often of wealthy people) has total control and power. Ex: China Ruled by Few Unlimited Government Theocracy: a form of government in which God or a deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler, the Gods or deity's laws being interpreted by the ecclesiastical authorities. Ex: Iran Ruled by Few Word Association 1. Religious based Government 1. Theocracy 2. Ruled by One, power through military 2. Dictatorship 3. Ruled by Many, 3. Republic Representative make laws 4. Ruled by Many, power to the people 4. Democracy 5. Ruled by Few, usually wealthy 5. Oligarchy 6. Power inherited by birth 6. Monarchy 7. The government of the U.S.A 7. Republic.