Government is the system or group of people governing an organized community generally a state. Government plays a pivotal role in society. Throughout the world, Government widely varies. The way government operates is not same; in fact the variation is immense. There are different forms of government:
- Anarchy
- Democracy
- Monarchy
- Tyranny
- Republic/ indirect democracy
- Oligarchy
- Theocracy
- Communism
- Autocracy
- Technocracy
- Fascism
- Plutocracy
- Totalitarian
- Federation
- Junta
- Dictatorship
- Aristocracy
- Meritocracy
Anarchy:
Means: no rule or without authority
Anarchy is a state of absence of law. It is a purpose to do with any kind of existing government and build a society wherein each person has the freedom to exercise his will, without any controlling authorities. People can do anything they want. No one held responsible for their actions.
Democracy:
Means: rule of the people
Government made by the people directly or through elected representatives. So everyone has equal say in the decisions affecting their lives. It is a majority rule. Everyone participates in every decision.
Monarchy:
Government in which power is held by a king (or queen, emperor or empress) who can pass power on to their heirs. Whose power can vary from absolute to none at all. The era of absolute monarchs almost seems to have vanished now and it is something that we hardly see.
Tyranny:
Rule of a tyrant (a cruel master). It is the government or authority of an absolute ruler. The ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition, etc)
Republic/indirect democracy:
Governed by elected representatives and established set of laws. It is a form of democracy where all citizens indirectly have a say in government decisions. People electing someone to represent a group of citizens, a government whose authority is based on citizens voters which are represented by elected or nominates officials chosen in free elections.
Oligarchy:
Means: rule of the few
Government made by a small group of people. It is form of power structure in which power effectively rests with factions of persons or families.
Theocracy:
Government ruled by or subject to religious authority. It is an old form of government. Government claims to be directly god or divinely blessed. A government where priests rule in the name of god, with a principle of a particular religion.
Communism/Communist:
Government of a classless state in which private ownership is abolished and the state controls all means of production. Communism is when the state owns and operates industry on behalf of the people.
Autocracy:
A government controlled by absolute power, and in the hands of a single person with minimal restraints on the decisions and lack of any mechanism of popular control. Government by a people with unrestricted power; also known as Despotism.
Technocracy:
Means: rule of the skill
A government whose scientists and technical experts are in the control of the state and where rulers are selected on basis of their knowledge/skill rather than wealth and power. A rational form of government, here science applied to society.
Fascism:
A way of ruling that advocates total control of the people and seeks to promote the ancestral and cultural values. It is an oppressive, dictatorial control.
Plutocracy:
A government or state in which wealthy people rule. Government ruled by the rich or power provided by wealth, often used to describe a wealthy class ruling a government.
Totalitarian:
A system in which a single political authority regulates total control over state, that is centralized and dictatorial.
Federation:
Lain word – foedus – means contract.
A government made by contract. A political organization characterizes by a union of small states, group or parties, which are self-governed in internal affairs and are united under a central government.
Junta:
A junta refers to a group or collection that takes control of the state after overthrowing a government. Usually done by military groups.
Dictatorship:
Body of government where total control and dominance lies with a small group of people or one person. A leader takes control over the government and has total power. This rule could be acquired by inheritance or force and is usually oppressive.
Aristocracy:
Means: rule of the best
A form of government that places power in hands of a small and honored ruling class. Government by the nobility. Government is controlled by nobles (members of the upper class). Power is hereditary.
Meritocracy:
Government by leaders selected according to their ability. A system in which the talented are chosen and moved ahead on the basis of their achievement.
