Three forms of Government5th grade social studies

What is a Monarchy?

• A monarchy has a king, queen, emperor, or empress

• The ruling position can be passed onto heirs

• In some traditional monarchies, the monarch has absolute power.

• A constitutional monarchy, like in England, has a democratic government and limits the monarchs control.

Monarchies Continued

• Queen Elizabeth of England

• King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia

• King Abdulaziz has absolute power

What is a Dictatorship?• A country ruled by a single

leader

• The leader has not been elected and may use force to keep control

• Toughest guy who uses bullying

• Illegitimate form of government

• Saddam Hussein was considered the dictator/ president of Iraq

What is a Democracy?• Democracy is a type of government in which the people of

a country hold the power to rule by electing representatives.

• In modern democracies, the legislature, composed of the people's representatives, is elected by popular vote

• The executive head of government is either directly elected by the people, or chosen by the legislature according to the country's legal procedures. Certain social liberties such as freedom of speech and political expression, and a free press are essential precursors to democracy