Dictatorship: One-person rule. Ruler has total control; absolute monarchs are also dictatorships.
ADVANTAGES:
1) People may be united in their loyalty to a dictator since there is no competition for trust and
affection.
2) In an emergency, a dictator can move quickly to take action. No time is lost in debate or
discussion.
3) Strong leadership – good leader = stability
DISADVANTAGES:
1) People are afforded little or no individual liberty. Civil rights are trampled on.
2) A dictator’s policies suit his/her own needs. Needs of the people may be neglected.
3) Decision making has a narrow base - can be flawed, wrong, dangerous, and not fully supported by
the people.
Theocracy: A combination of strong national pride and strong religious beliefs that has led to the
control of the government by religious leaders.
Advantages:
1) General agreement on the operation of the country.
2) Helps to keep the tradition of a country – religious doctrine or record used to rule.
3) People will admire and look up to the rulers.
Disadvantages
1) Driven by religion – may result on poor decisions made by the government.
2) Can result in discrimination if one is not a member of the majority or dominant religion.
3) Disagreement over interpretations of the religious doctrine can occur.
Monarchy: Power is inherited and passed down the royal family line.
Advantages:
1) No worry or conflict over elections.
2) Stable long line of heirs or rulers.
3) Traditions of the country will be carried on.
Disadvantages:
1) Can be restrictive because people do not have the right to vote.
2) Does not represent the entire society.
3) Legacy of the past may be negative – elitism.
4) Inherited power does not guarantee good leadership.
Aristocracy/Oligarchy: A government in which the power is in the hands of a few persons or a small
group (who have the combined power of a dictator.)
Advantages:
1) Decisions can be made relatively quickly.
2) May provide expert leadership while avoiding the danger of one-person rule.
3) In theory, they are the most educated members of society.
4) Members of the oligarchy listen to each other - they work together to rule.
Disadvantages:
1) Concerns of the lower classes.
2) Rich will benefit more than the poor – the rich get richer and the poor get poorer
3) Same as dictatorship
Direct Democracy: Government in which all citizens have equal power in decision making.
Advantages:
1) Every citizen has equal power in matters of government. Every citizen is involved in the decision
making.
2) Since all citizens are involved in decision making, there is a broad base of support and loyalty.
3) Individual liberties are protected.
Disadvantages:
1) Only works when a small number of people are involved. Ability to gather all citizens in one place
is necessary.
2) Decision making involving all citizens is time-consuming. All citizens give input, debate, etc.
Representative Democracy: Government in which people elect representatives who hold the
decision making power.
Advantages:
1) Citizens are involved in decision making through their representatives, lobbying, and voting.
2) Representatives are aware their jobs depend on meeting the needs of their constituents.
3) More likely that all elements of the population are represented.
4) Generally, reps are educated, more capable citizens who can devote time needed to solve
complex problems.
Disadvantages:
1) Decision making is time consuming. Desire of representatives to please everyone may cripple
system.
2) Representatives may not always agree with those they represent.
3) Lack of involved citizenry may allow special interest groups to influence or dominate
representatives.
Constitutional Monarchy: A parliament, consisting of elected officials, and a monarchy rule together
under a constitution.
Advantages:
1) Concerns of all classes and people are addressed
2) Checks and balances because of the two areas of government
3) A progressive form of government that still keeps some tradition
Disadvantages:
1) Competition between the two areas of government
2) Decision making process is slow – too much negotiation
3) Power struggle can lead to armed conflict
Fascism/Nazism: A movement of large masses, with new leaders chosen from the rank and file. It
celebrates the nation or the race as an organic community transcending all other loyalties. It
emphasizes a myth of national or racial rebirth after a period of decline or destruction. Characterized
by strong militarism, secret police, demonstrations or power, etc.
Advantages:
1) Keeps political opponents quiet – no disturbance
2) Decision making process is quick
3) Good leaders can take all the credit
4) Unifies the nation - patriotic
Disadvantages:
1) No alternative views are accepted
2) Brutal violence and repression
Communism: The government owns all land and property; all production and distribution is
controlled by the state; in theory everyone is equal and works towards sharing the wealth.
It is important for all citizens in a democracy to know the basic difference between constitutional and
non-constitutional governments. Distinguishing characteristics are limited government and unlimited
government.
Limited Government:
In Canada, the powers of government are limited. A limited government is a constitutional
government.
A limited government makes sure that leaders of government do not misuse the powers they have
been given.
It insists that all people, including people in authority such as the president and members of the
congress, obey the laws.
A limited government has effective controls over the power of people in authority and protects the
rights of individuals.
Unlimited Government
An unlimited government includes authoritarian and totalitarian governments.
Under authoritarian systems, all power is concentrated in one person or a small group.
People who live under an authoritarian system do not have an effective way to restrain the power of
the rulers.
Totalitarian governments regulate every part of the lives of individuals.
An unlimited government is a non-constitutional government.
An unlimited government does not have effective controls over the power of its rulers.
The people in authority cannot be easily removed from office by peaceful and legal means.
The following information briefly outlines the most common forms of government. Carefully read the information and
decide on three (3) advantages that maybe associated with these types of governments and three (3) disadvantages that
maybe associated with these types of governments. Then try to think of examples where these governments exist in the
real world. You may use one historical example for each.
Dictatorship: Power is in the hands of one individual, who usually has the support or control of the
Military.
Advantages:
1) _____________________________________________________________________________________
2) _____________________________________________________________________________________
3) _____________________________________________________________________________________
Disadvantages:
1) _____________________________________________________________________________________
2) _____________________________________________________________________________________
3) _____________________________________________________________________________________
Countries: ________________________________________________________________________________________
Theocracy: A combination of strong national pride and strong religious beliefs that has led to the
control of the government by religious leaders.
Advantages:
1) _____________________________________________________________________________________
2) _____________________________________________________________________________________
3) _____________________________________________________________________________________
Disadvantages:
1) _____________________________________________________________________________________
2) _____________________________________________________________________________________
3) _____________________________________________________________________________________
Countries: ________________________________________________________________________________________
Monarchy: Power is inherited and passed down the royal family line.
Advantages:
1) _____________________________________________________________________________________
2) _____________________________________________________________________________________
3) _____________________________________________________________________________________
Disadvantages:
1) _____________________________________________________________________________________
2) _____________________________________________________________________________________
3) _____________________________________________________________________________________
Countries: ________________________________________________________________________________________
Aristocracy/Oligarchy: Form of government in which the power is in the hands of a few persons or small group
(who have the combined power of a dictator.)
Advantages:
1) _____________________________________________________________________________________
2) _____________________________________________________________________________________
3) _____________________________________________________________________________________
Disadvantages:
1) _____________________________________________________________________________________
2) _____________________________________________________________________________________
3) _____________________________________________________________________________________
Countries: ________________________________________________________________________________________
Representative Democracy: Government in which people elect representatives who hold the decision
making power.
Advantages:
1) _____________________________________________________________________________________
2) _____________________________________________________________________________________
3) _____________________________________________________________________________________
Disadvantages:
1) _____________________________________________________________________________________
2) _____________________________________________________________________________________
3) _____________________________________________________________________________________
Countries: ________________________________________________________________________________________
Constitutional Monarchy: A parliament, consisting of elected officials, and a monarchy rule together
under the constitution.
Advantages:
1) _____________________________________________________________________________________
2) _____________________________________________________________________________________
3) _____________________________________________________________________________________
Disadvantages:
1) _____________________________________________________________________________________
2) _____________________________________________________________________________________
3) _____________________________________________________________________________________
Countries: ________________________________________________________________________________________
Fascism/Nazism: A movement of large masses, with new leaders coming from the rank and file. It
celebrates the nation or the race as an organic community transcending all other loyalties. It
emphasizes a myth of national or racial rebirth after a period of decline or destruction. Characterized
by strong militarism, secret police, demonstrations of power, etc…
Advantages:
1) _____________________________________________________________________________________
2) _____________________________________________________________________________________
3) _____________________________________________________________________________________
Disadvantages:
1) _____________________________________________________________________________________
2) _____________________________________________________________________________________
3) _____________________________________________________________________________________
Countries: ________________________________________________________________________________________
Communism: The government owns all land and property, all production and distribution is controlled
by the state, in theory everyone is equal and works towards sharing the wealth.
Advantages:
1) _____________________________________________________________________________________
2) _____________________________________________________________________________________
3) _____________________________________________________________________________________
Disadvantages:
1) _____________________________________________________________________________________
2) _____________________________________________________________________________________
3) _____________________________________________________________________________________
Countries: ________________________________________________________________________________________