Political Systems Study Cards

Enhance Your Learning with Political Systems Flash Cards for quick learning



Democracy

A system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through elected representatives.

Monarchy

A form of government in which a single person, usually a king or queen, holds supreme authority and power is passed down through hereditary means.

Dictatorship

A system of government in which power is concentrated in the hands of a single individual, who exercises absolute control and authority.

Authoritarianism

A political system characterized by strong central power and limited political freedoms, where individual rights and liberties are often suppressed.

Totalitarianism

A form of government in which the state has total control over all aspects of public and private life, with no limits on its authority.

Oligarchy

A system of government in which power is held by a small group of individuals, often based on wealth, social status, or military control.

Anarchy

A state of society without government or law, often associated with chaos and disorder.

Theocracy

A system of government in which religious leaders hold the power and religious law is the basis of governance.

Communism

A political and economic ideology advocating for the common ownership of the means of production and the absence of social classes.

Socialism

An economic and political system advocating for collective or government ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution.

Fascism

An authoritarian and nationalistic political ideology characterized by dictatorial power, suppression of dissent, and strong regimentation of society and the economy.

Capitalism

An economic system based on private ownership of the means of production and the pursuit of profit through market competition.

Liberal Democracy

A form of representative democracy where elected representatives hold power, and individual rights and liberties are protected by a constitution.

Representative Democracy

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Direct Democracy

A system of government in which citizens directly participate in decision-making, without the need for elected representatives.

Constitutional Monarchy

A form of government in which a monarch serves as the head of state within the parameters of a constitution.

Absolute Monarchy

A form of government in which a monarch holds supreme authority and power is not limited by a constitution or other governing body.

Constitutional Dictatorship

A form of government in which a dictator holds power within the parameters of a constitution.

Military Dictatorship

A form of government in which military officials hold power and exercise control over the state.

Single-Party Dictatorship

A form of government in which a single political party holds power and controls all aspects of governance.

Autocracy

A system of government in which a single individual holds absolute power and authority.

Plutocracy

A system of government in which power is held by the wealthy or those who possess great wealth.

Meritocracy

A system of government or organization in which individuals are selected or promoted based on their abilities and merit.

Technocracy

A system of government or organization in which decision-making is based on the expertise and knowledge of technical experts.

Aristocracy

A system of government in which power is held by a small group of privileged individuals, often based on hereditary status or wealth.

Directorial System

A system of government in which power is held collectively by a group of individuals, often referred to as a directory.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and regional or state governments.

Unitary System

A system of government in which power is concentrated in a central authority, with little or no power given to regional or local governments.

Confederal System

A system of government in which power is held by independent states or regions that form an alliance or confederation.

Presidential System

A system of government in which a president serves as both the head of state and the head of government.

Parliamentary System

A system of government in which the executive branch is led by a prime minister who is elected from the legislative branch.

Semi-Presidential System

A system of government in which power is divided between a president and a prime minister, who both hold significant powers.

Authoritarian Regime

A form of government characterized by strong central power and limited political freedoms, often with a single leader or ruling party.

Totalitarian Regime

A form of government in which the state has total control over all aspects of public and private life, with no limits on its authority.

One-Party System

A political system in which only one political party is allowed to exist and hold power.

Multi-Party System

A political system in which multiple political parties compete for power and representation.

Two-Party System

A political system in which two major political parties dominate the political landscape and compete for power.

Proportional Representation

An electoral system in which seats in the legislature are allocated based on the proportion of votes received by each political party.

First-Past-The-Post

An electoral system in which the candidate with the most votes wins, regardless of whether they have a majority.

Mixed Electoral System

An electoral system that combines elements of both proportional representation and first-past-the-post systems.

Political Ideologies

Sets of political beliefs and values that shape individuals' views on government, society, and the economy.

Political Parties

Organizations that represent and advocate for specific political ideologies and compete for power in elections.

Political Participation

The involvement of individuals in the political process, including voting, activism, and running for office.

Political Culture

The shared beliefs, values, and norms that shape the behavior and attitudes of individuals within a political system.

Political Institutions

Formal organizations and structures that shape and govern political processes and interactions within a society.

Political Power

The ability to influence or control the behavior and actions of others within a political system.

Political Economy

The study of the interaction between politics and economics, and how they shape the distribution of resources and power within a society.