Understanding

Culture Society
and Politics
LESSON
FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
In the previous lessons, we discussed the different types of legitimate
government, let’s find out the other forms of government.

1. ANARCHY
Anarchism refers to the absence of government, a condition in which a nation or
state operates without a central governing body. This denotes an absence of public
utilities or services, a lack of regulatory control, limited diplomatic relations with
other nation-states, and in most instances, a society divided into different, locally-
ruled settlements (or fiefdoms).

2. ARISTOCRACY
Aristocracy refers to a form of government in which wealthy nobles are given power
over those in lower socioeconomic strata. Positions of leadership are reserved for
those of an elite ruling class, a status which is typically hereditary. The privileged
ruling class is viewed, in this system, as possessing the education, upbringing, and
genetic traits required for rulership.

3. BUREAUCRACY
Bureaucracy refers to a form of government in which non-elected government
officials carry out public responsibilities as dictated by administrative policy-
making groups. In a bureaucracy, rules, regulations, procedures, and outcomes are
formulated to maintain order, achieve efficiency, and prevent favoritism within the
system.

4. CAPITALISM
Capitalism refers to a form of economy in which production is driven by private
ownership. Capitalism promotes the idea of open competition and extends from the
belief that a free market economy — one with limited regulatory control — is the
most efficient form of economic organization. Its advocates argue that capitalism
promotes economic growth, improved standards of living, higher productivity, and
broader prosperity.

5. COMMUNISM
Communism refers to the idea of common, public ownership of the economy,
including infrastructure, utilities, and means of production. Communism, as
idealized by thinkers Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, denotes an absence of class
divisions, which inherently requires the subversion of the ruling class by the
working class. As such, communism often incorporates the idea of revolutionary
action against unequal rule.

6. DEMOCRACY
Democracy refers to a form of government in which the people are given a direct
role in choosing their leadership. Its primary goal is governance through fair
representation, a system in which no single force or entity can exercise unchecked
control or authority. The result is a system which requires discourse, debate, and
compromise to satisfy the broadest possible number of public interests. Democracy
is typified by fair and free elections, civic participation, protection of human rights,
and the rule of law.

7. FEDERALISM
Federalism is a form of government that both combines and divides powers
between a centralized federal authority and an array of regional and local
authorities. This is typically a system in which a set of states, territories, or
provinces are both self-governing and beholden to the authority of a broad, unifying
government structure.

8. KLEPTOCRACY
Kleptocracy is a form of government in which the ruling party has either come to
power, retained power, or both, through means of corruption and theft. This is not
a form of government that a ruling class would ever self-apply but a pejorative term
used to describe a group whose power rests on a foundation of embezzlement,
misappropriation of funds, and the transfer of massive amounts of wealth from
public to private interests.

9. MERITOCRACY
Meritocracy refers to a system in which authority is vested in those who have
demonstrated the merits deemed pertinent to governing or public administration.
Often, these merits are conferred through testing and academic credentials and are
meant to create an order in which talents, abilities, and intellect determine who
should hold positions of leadership and economic stewardship. The result is a
social hierarchy based on achievement.

10. DICTATORSHIP
A dictatorship is a nation ruled with absolute power, in the absence of a democratic
process, and typically under the thumb of a single authority figure. In a military
dictatorship, this authority usually heads the nation’s armed forces. A military
dictatorship often comes to power by subverting the existing seat of government —
sometimes though claims of corruption, weakness, or ineffectiveness — and which
subsequently uses the military to establish its own brand of law and order.

11. MONARCHY
Monarchy refers to a form of rule in which absolute power and authority are held
by a single member of a royal bloodline. In a monarchy, the individual in the seat of
power is often believed to have been placed there by “divine right,” or the will of
God. In a monarchical society, power is inherited within a line of succession that
relates to one’s bloodline and birth-order within the ruling royal family.

12. OLIGARCHY
Oligarchy refers to a form of government in which a smattering of individuals rule
over a nation. In many ways, oligarchy is a catch-all for any number of other forms
of governance in which a specific set of qualities — wealth, heredity, race — are
used to vest power in a small group of individuals. So, forms of government
regarded as aristocratic, plutocratic, or totalitarian, for instance, can be referred to
as oligarchic.

13. PLUTOCRACY
Plutocracy refers to a system of rule in which power is determined as a direct
function of wealth. Plutocracy mirrors the economic hierarchy of aristocratic
systems but lacks the philosophical imperatives used to justify the latter. Whereas
aristocratic forms of governance justified economic hierarchy by presuming an
equivalence between wealth, heredity, and the qualification to lead, plutocracy
refers in simpler terms to the ascendance of the wealthy to positions of power.

14. REPUBLICAN
Republicanism refers to a system in which power is vested in the citizenry. In
technical definition, a republic is a nation in which the people hold popular
sovereignty through the
electoral and legislative processes as well as through participation in public and
civic life. In its earliest form, the republic was perceived as a counterbalance to
monarchy, an approach which merged monarchy and aristocracy with some
trappings of democracy.

15. SOCIALISM
Socialism refers to a form of government in which the people own the primary
means of production. A counterpoint to the competitive nature and unequal
proclivities of capitalism, socialism has existed in many forms and to widely variant
degrees of strictness throughout history and around the world.

16. THEOCRACY
Theocracy refers to a form of government in which a specific religious ideology
informs the leadership, laws, and customs of a nation. In many instances, there
will be little to no distinction between scriptural laws and legal codes. Likewise,
religious clergy will typically occupy roles of leadership, and in some instances, the
highest office in the nation.

17. TOTALITARIANISM
Totalitarianism is an authoritarian form of government in which the ruling party
recognizes no limitations whatsoever on its power, either in the public life or private
rights of its citizens. Totalitarian states often employ widespread surveillance,
control over mass media, intimidating demonstrations of paramilitary or police
power, and suppression — usually violent — of protest, activism, or political
opposition.

FUNCTIONS OF NON-STATE INSTITUTIONS

What are these non-state institutions?
These are establishments which are not owned and controlled by the government
and not related to the components of the state. These institutions function with
minimal intervention from state institutions. Some non-state institutions are for
profit and others are nonprofits and some are for personal investments and for
financial help.

Non-state Institutions Functions

1. Banks - are places or institutions1. Banks are depository of savings.
where people place or deposit their 2. Banks are largely responsible for
money or savings with corresponding the payment system.
interest on a given period of time and,
3. Banks issue loans to both people
or assets for safekeeping. and companies.
2. Corporation – is a company or 1. Corporations by ability to issue
group of people authorized to act as a
stock are referred to as “stock
single entity (legally a person) and corporations” and owners of stock are
recognized as such in law. known as stockholder”.
- It is a legal entity created under state
2. Corporations may be allowed to be
law and is designed to generate a “for profit” or “not-for-profit”
profit. corporations.
3. Registered corporations have legal
personality and are owned by
shareholders whose liability is limited
to their investment.
3. Cooperative – is a legal entity 1. Cooperatives often share their
owned and democratically earnings with the membership as
controlled by its members. dividends, which are divided among
the members according to their
participation in the enterprise.
2. Since most cooperative members
are local residents, business profits
remain and circulate within the
community.
3. Cooperatives are dedicated to the
values of openness, social
responsibility and caring for others.

4. Trade Unions – is an 1. Negotiate wages and working

organization whose membership condition terms.
consists of workers and union 2. Regulate relations between
leaders, united to protect and workers.
promote their common interests. 3. Raise new demands on behalf of
its members.

Here are the unions and networks we have in the Philippines.

A. The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) is the biggest

confederation of labor federations in the Philippines also known as Katipunan ng
Manggagawang Pilipino.

It was founded on December 14, 1975 by 23 labor federations. It has also members
coming from OFWs, informal sectors, drivers, urban poor, youth, and other civil
society groups.

Importance of Transnational Advocacy Groups

What makes transnational advocacy networks so important is their advocacy.

They campaign on behalf of principled causes, sets of values and ideas, vulnerable
constituencies or environments.

In other words, it provides a voice for civil society in the otherwise closed field of
international politics and open a democratic space within an elite arena.
They seek not merely to influence, but to change the very terms and values of
international policy and practice.

B. Transnational advocacy groups/ /networks are fluid and open relationships

among knowledgeable, committed actors (individuals and organizations).

Their goal is to give powerless constituencies (the impoverished, women, the

politically vulnerable consumers, disorganized population) a voice in domestic and
international lawmaking.

Their primary tool is information-quickly produced, accurately formulated and

effectively deployed.

Kinds of issues that motivate advocacy networks:

1. Human rights
2. Women’s rights
3. Consumer rights
4. Environmental issues
5. International peace
Who participates in transnational advocacy groups?
NGOs, local social movements, the media, foundations, religious organizations,
intellectuals and scholars, parts of executive or parliamentary branches of
government.

C. Development Agencies
A development agency is an organization committed/dedicated to
distributing aid.

Many professional aid organizations exist, both within governments (e.g.RED CROSS,
USAID, DFID, AusAID, EuropeAid), as multilateral donors and as private voluntary
organizations.

The International Committee of the Red Cross is the world’s oldest humanitarian
organization and is unique in being mandated by international treaty to uphold to
Geneva Conventions.

The International Committee of the Red Cross is the world’s oldest humanitarian
organization and is unique in being mandated by international treaty to uphold to
Geneva Conventions.

Aid can be subdivided into two categories:

1. Humanitarian Aid- emergency relief efforts, in response to natural disasters.
2. Development Aid – foreign aid, aimed at helping countries to achieve long-term
sustainable economic growth and with the aim of achieving poverty reduction.

D. International Organizations
An international organization – is an organization with an international
membership, scope or presence.
Two main types:

1. International Non-governmental Organizations INGOs) that operate

internationally.
These include non-profit organizations and worldwide companies such as the World
Organization of the Scout Movement, Red Cross and Medecins Sans Frontieres.

2. International Governmental Organization (IGOs) the type of organization that are

useful for mobilizing public support, monitoring the effectiveness of international aid,
and providing information and expertise.
Notable examples include the United Nations (UN), World Trade Organization (WTO),
and Council of Europe COE).

ACTIVITY 1:
Directions: Analyze the following statements. Write T if the statement is TRUE and F
if it is FALSE. Write your answer on your notebook.

______ 1. Trade Union is an organization whose membership consists of workers and

union leaders, united to protect and promote their common interests.
______ 2. Cooperative is a legal entity owned and democratically controlled by the
shareholders.
______ 3. World Health Organization is the world’s oldest humanitarian organization
and is unique in being mandated by international treaty to uphold to Geneva
Conventions.
______ 4. The Katipunan ng Manggagawang Pilipino is the biggest confederation of
labor federations in the Philippines.
______ 5. Federalism refers to a form of government in which wealthy nobles are given
power over those in lower socioeconomic strata.
______ 6. World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, United Nations (UN) and World
Trade Organization (WTO) are agencies under the Transnational Advocacy groups.
______ 7. A Republic is a nation in which the people hold popular sovereignty through
the electoral and legislative processes as well as through participation in public and
civic life.
______ 8. Nonstate institutions often bridge the gap between the state and its citizens
through active public engagement.
______ 9. Theocracy refers to a form of government in which a specific religious
ideology informs the leadership, laws, and customs of a nation.
______ 10. Since most bank members are local residents, business profits remain and
circulate within the community.

ACTIVITY 2:
Knowing the forms of government and functions of non-state institutions, I realized
the importance of my rights and privileges as a citizen of this country and how the
government and nonstate institutions lead, guide and protect me and my fellow
citizens.
I promise to retain the good values of the Filipinos such as 1. ______________ 2.
_____________ 3. _______________ 4. _______________ 5. _______________ 6. ______
_____________ 7. _______________ 8. _______________ 9. _______________ 10. ____

ACTIVITY 3:
Direction: Identify what is being asked in the following statements by selecting the
answers from the box below.
______________1. An organization whose membership consists of workers and union
leaders, united to protect and promote their common interests.
______________2. An organization committed/dedicated to distributing aid.
______________3. A form of government in which the people own the primary means
of production.
______________4. A legal entity created under state law and is designed to generate a
profit.
______________5. These are establishments which are not owned by the government
and some are for profit and for financial help.
______________6. The type of organization that are useful for mobilizing public
support, monitoring the effectiveness of international aid, and
providing information and expertise.
______________7. It is a nation ruled with absolute power, in the absence of a
democratic process, and typically under the thumb of a single
authority figure.
______________8. The popular acceptance of an authority, usually a governing law or
a regime.
______________9. Founded in December 14, 1975 as the biggest confederation of labor
federations in the Philippines.
______________10. Its main function is helping countries to achieve long-term
sustainable economic growth and with the aim of achieving
poverty reduction.
Dictatorship Socialism TUCP
Trade Unions Legitimacy Corporation
Nonstate institutions Development Aid USAID
Development Agency IGOs Authority