Types of Governments Practice Quiz

The king or queen is more of a symbol or figurehead, an elected government takes care of most governmental functions.

• Absolute Monarcy

• Constitutional Democracy

• Absolute Dictatorship

• Constitutional Monarchy

Answer explanation

King Charles of Great Britain is a Constitutional Monarch - He is a king who is more of a symbol of his country instead of holding any real power to control the government.

Citizens are directly involved in day-to-day governing of the country like in Ancient Athens, Greece.    

• Constitutional Monarchy

• Direct Democracy

• Representative Democracy

• Representative Oligarchy

Answer explanation

In a Direct Democracy - all citizens may speak about, vote DIRECTLY on laws, and in Ancient Athens - directly ran the courts, lawmaking sessions, and finances of Athens. In modern-day Switzerland, they have a Direct Democracy several times a year when everyone gets to vote on laws directly.

Citizens elect leaders to represent their rights and interests in government such as the United States and Brazil.

• Direct Democracy

• Direct Monarchy

• Representative Democracy

• Representative Oligarchy

Answer explanation

We, the United States, have a Representative Democracy. When we vote, we are choosing people to represent us for President, Senator, House of Representatives (National Level), as well as Governor, Senator, House of Representatives (State Level), and local governmental roles as well, like sheriff, judges, district attorney, etc.

Rule by a king or queen, with absolute power. Power is passed down through the family.    

• Absolute Monarchy

• Constitutional Monarchy

• Representative Democracy

• Oligarchy

Answer explanation

Mohammed bin Salman is the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and acts in the role of King for his ailing/aging father. He rules with total power - what he says goes. One of his sons will be the next king after him.

A category of government in which one person has all the power  

• Democracy

• Oligarchy

• Autocracy

• Junta

Answer explanation

This overarching category of people who rule by themselves includes dictatorships and absolute monarchies.

A form of government where the rulers claim to be ruling on behalf of a set of religious ideas, or as direct agents of God.

• Democracy

• Dictatorship

• Anarchy

• Theocracy

Answer explanation

Theo means god in Greek and cracy means government, so theocracy = government according to the word or will of God. The Vatican is a Theocracy led by the Pope. Iran and Afghanistan have Muslim Theocracies where the Qur'an, the Muslim holy book, helps control laws and who is in power.

A government ruled by an elite group of people based on social class, group membership, or race.

• Dictatorship

• Anarchy

• Oligarchy

• Autocracy

Answer explanation

In an Oligarchy you have to be in the "In Group" to be able to have political power. From Greek (oligoi: few) and (arch: rule) it means rule by the few. You might need to be approved by the leader to hold office, or belong to the one approved political party, or be a particular race, social class, or religion.

One man leads North Korea and controls its government completely. He also controls its ruling political party. His ruling party chooses candidates for an Assembly, and citizens vote.  The candidates do not have opponents, so citizens have no choice.

• Theocracy

• Dictatorship

• Democracy

• Anarchy

Answer explanation

Kim Jong Un is the Supreme Leader, and dictator of North Korea. Whatever he says is the law. His people put him above their own families. Not only is his dictatorship authoritarian - having a large amount of authority over people - it is TOTALITARIAN. Kim Jong Un has TOTAL power over his people.

When there is no government, leader or rules.

• Theocracy

• Democracy

• Oligarchy

• Anarchy

Answer explanation

The country of Haiti is in the middle of a gang war over who will control the government. Right now there is chaos - anarchy - with no one truly in charge of the government or able to keep people safe.