Forms of Governance and Political Systems

The video explores various political systems by addressing two fundamental questions: who governs and to what ends. It covers dictatorship, democratic centralism, oligarchy, monarchy, aristocracy, plutocracy, republics, direct democracy, anarchy, theocracy, adhocracy, and pluralism. Each system is explained with historical and contemporary examples, highlighting their unique characteristics and implications for governance.

What are the two fundamental questions in politics that help describe a nation's government?

• What are the laws and who enforces them

• How is the economy and what is the population

• Who governs and to what ends

• What is the capital and who is the leader

Which of the following is a characteristic of a dictatorship?

• Governance by religious leaders

• Control by a single leader with military power

• Decisions made by public vote

• Rule by a group of elected officials

In an oligarchy, who holds the power?

• A single ruler

• The entire population

• A small group of people

• Religious leaders

What distinguishes a constitutional monarchy from an absolute monarchy?

• The monarch is elected by the people

• The presence of a constitution limiting the monarch's power

• The monarch's power is inherited

• The monarch has absolute control

What is the main difference between an aristocracy and a plutocracy?

• Aristocracy is based on wealth, plutocracy on land ownership

• Aristocracy is ruled by the military, plutocracy by the wealthy

• Aristocracy is based on land ownership, plutocracy on wealth

• Aristocracy is a form of democracy, plutocracy is not

Which of the following is a feature of a republic?

• Governance by religious leaders

• Rule by a monarch

• Direct control of policy by the people

• Elected representatives make decisions

What is a key characteristic of a theocracy?

• Control by a single dictator

• Rule by elected officials

• Governance by religious leaders

• Decisions made by public vote

What is the main idea behind adhocracy?

• Decisions made by public vote

• Governance by corporations

• Control by religious leaders

• Rule by a single leader

What does pluralism in governance refer to?

• Rule by a single party

• Control by the military

• Decisions made by a monarch

• Governance by competing interest groups

Which of the following is an example of a special interest group in pluralism?

• The United Nations

• The World Health Organization

• The European Union

• The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)