Forms and Systems of Government

What’s the Difference?

AUTOCRACY OLIGARCHY DEMOCRACY
UNITARY

FEDERAL
Ex: United States

CONFEDERATE

Read the description of each country and decide where each belongs on this chart. What
type of government does the United States have?

France- Under the constitution, the President was originally elected for a seven-year term; this has been
reduced to five years. The President names the Prime Minister, presides over the cabinet, commands the
armed forces, and concludes treaties. The French national government does not interfere in the day to day
operations of 22 regions, but the national government does have complete control over the 22 regional
governments and the 100 department governments.

Vietnam-The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is governed through a highly centralized system

dominated by the Communist Party of Vietnam. The government is, in theory, independent from the party,
but in practice it receives most of its orders from the party. Although there has been some effort to
discourage membership in overlapping party and state positions, this practice continues. Senior Politburo
members concurrently hold the highest positions in the government.

South Africa-The Republic of South Africa is a constitutional democracy with a three-tiered system
of government and an independent judiciary, operating under a parliamentary system. The government is
decentralized: the national, provincial, and local levels of government all have legislative and executive
authority in their own spheres.

Saudi Arabia- The central institution of Saudi Arabian Government is the Saudi monarchy. The
Basic Law adopted in 1992 declared that Saudi Arabia is a monarchy ruled by the sons and grandsons of
the first king, Abd Al Aziz Al Saud, and that the Holy Qur'an is the constitution of the country, which is
governed on the basis of Islamic law (Shari'a). Saudi kings have gradually developed a central government
in which the king has complete control over the 13 provinces.

Brazil- The 1988 constitution grants broad powers to the federal government. The president holds office
for four years, with the right to re-election for an additional four-year term, and appoints his own cabinet.
Brazilian states are semi-autonomous self-governing entities organized with complete administration
branches, relative financial independence and their own set of symbols, similar to those owned by the
nation itself.
 AUTOCRACY OLIGARCHY DEMOCRACY
UNITARY
Saudi Arabia Vietnam France

FEDERAL
South Africa
Brazil

CONFEDERATE

ANSWER KEY

Read the description of the countries and decide where they belong on this chart. What
type of government does the United States have?
France- Under the constitution, the President was originally elected for a seven-year term; this
has been reduced to five years. The President names the Prime Minister, presides over the
cabinet, commands the armed forces, and concludes treaties. The French national government
does not interfere in the day to day operations of 22 regions, but the national government does
have complete control over the 22 regional governments and the 100 department governments.

Vietnam-The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is governed through a highly centralized system

dominated by the Communist Party of Vietnam. The government is, in theory, independent from
the party, but in practice it receives most of its orders from the party. Although there has been
some effort to discourage membership in overlapping party and state positions, this practice
continues. Senior Politburo members concurrently hold the highest positions in the government.

South Africa-The Republic of South Africa is a constitutional democracy with a three-tiered

system of government and an independent judiciary, operating under a parliamentary system.
The government is decentralised: the national, provincial, and local levels of government all have
legislative and executive authority in their own spheres.

Saudi Arabia- The central institution of Saudi Arabian Government is the Saudi monarchy.
The Basic Law adopted in 1992 declared that Saudi Arabia is a monarchy ruled by the sons and
grandsons of the first king, Abd Al Aziz Al Saud, and that the Holy Qur'an is the constitution of
the country, which is governed on the basis of Islamic law (Shari'a). Saudi kings have gradually
developed a central government in which the king has complete control over the 13 provinces.

Brazil- The 1988 constitution grants broad powers to the federal government. The president
holds office for four years, with the right to re-election for an additional four-year term, and
appoints his own cabinet. Brazilian states are semi-autonomous self-governing entities organized
with complete administration branches, relative financial independence and their own set of
symbols, similar to those owned by the nation itself.