Government type

This entry lists the basic form of government for each country. Definitions of the governmental terms are as follows (note that for some countries more than one definition applies):

absolute monarchy - a form of government where the monarch rules unhindered by laws, constitution, or legally organized opposition.
anarchy - a condition of lawlessness or political disorder brought about by the absence of governmental authority.
authoritarian - a form of government in which state authority is imposed onto many aspects of citizens' lives.
commonwealth - a nation, state, or other political entity founded on law and united by a compact of the people for the common good.
communist - a system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single -- often authoritarian -- party holds power; the state imposes controls and eliminates private ownership of property or capital, while claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which people equally share all goods in a classless society.
confederacy (confederation) - a union by compact or treaty between states, provinces, or territories that creates a central government with limited powers; the constituent entities retain supreme authority, except in matters delegated to the central government.
constitutional - a government operating under an authoritative document (constitution) that sets forth the system of fundamental laws and principles that determine the nature, functions, and limits of that government.
constitutional democracy - a form of government in which the sovereign power of the people is spelled out in a governing constitution.
constitutional monarchy - a system of government in which a monarch is guided by a constitution whereby his/her rights, duties, and responsibilities are spelled out in written law or by custom.
democracy - a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but which is usually exercised indirectly through a system of representation and delegated authority periodically renewed.
democratic republic - a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them.
dictatorship - a form of government in which a ruler or small clique wield absolute power (not restricted by a constitution or laws).
ecclesiastical - a government administrated by a church.
emirate - similar to a monarchy or sultanate, but a government in which the supreme power is in the hands of an emir (the ruler of a Muslim state); the emir may be an absolute overlord or a sovereign with constitutionally limited authority.
federal (federation) - a form of government in which sovereign power is formally divided -- usually by means of a constitution -- between a central authority and a number of constituent regions (states, colonies, or provinces), so that each region retains some management of its internal affairs; differs from a confederacy in that the central government exerts influence directly on both individuals and the regional units.
federal republic - a state in which the powers of the central government are restricted and in which the component parts (states, colonies, or provinces) retain a degree of self-government; ultimate sovereign power rests with the voters who chose their governmental representatives.
Islamic republic - a particular form of government adopted by some Muslim states; although such a state is, in theory, a theocracy, it remains a republic, but its laws are required to be compatible with the laws of Islam.
Maoism - the theory and practice of Marxism-Leninism developed in China by Mao Zedong (Mao Tse-tung), which states that a continuous revolution is necessary if the leaders of a communist state are to keep in touch with the people.
Marxism - the political, economic, and social principles espoused by 19th century economist Karl Marx; he viewed history as a progression from a class struggle of the proletariat (workers) exploited by capitalists (business owners), to a socialist "dictatorship of the proletariat," and finally to a classless society (communism).
Marxism-Leninism - an expanded form of communism developed by Vladimir Lenin from Karl Marx's doctrines; Lenin saw imperialism as the final stage of capitalism and shifted the focus of the workers' struggle from developed to underdeveloped countries.
monarchy - a government in which the supreme power is in the hands of a monarch who reigns over a state or territory, usually for life and by hereditary right; the monarch may be either a sole absolute ruler or a sovereign -- such as a king, queen, or prince -- with constitutionally limited authority.
oligarchy - a government in which a small group of individuals exercises control.
parliamentary democracy - a political system in which the party with the most votes in the legislature (parliament) selects the government -- a prime minister, premier, or chancellor and the cabinet ministers; by this system, the government has a responsibility to the people as well as to the parliament.
parliamentary government (cabinet-parliamentary government) - a government in which a legislature or parliament nominates members of an executive branch (the cabinet and its leader -- a prime minister, premier, or chancellor); this type of government can be dissolved at will by the parliament (legislature) through a no-confidence vote, or the leader of the cabinet may dissolve the parliament if it can no longer function.
parliamentary monarchy - a state headed by a monarch who is not actively involved in policy formation or implementation and may have only a ceremonial capacity; governmental leadership is carried out by a cabinet and its head -- a prime minister, premier, or chancellor -- who are drawn from a legislature (parliament).
presidential - a system of government where the executive branch exists separately from a legislature (to which it is generally not accountable).
republic - a representative democracy in which the people's elected deputies (representatives), not the people themselves, vote on legislation.
socialism - a government in which the means of planning, producing, and distributing goods is controlled by a central government that theoretically seeks a more just and equitable distribution of property and labor; in actuality, most socialist governments have ended up being no more than dictatorships over workers by a ruling elite.
sultanate - similar to a monarchy, but a government in which the supreme power is in the hands of a sultan (the head of a Muslim state); the sultan may be an absolute ruler or a sovereign with constitutionally limited authority.
theocracy - a form of government in which a deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler, but ecclesiastical authorities interpret (bishops, mullahs, etc.) the deity's laws; a government subject to religious authority.
totalitarian - a government that seeks to subordinate the individual to the state by controlling not only all political and economic matters, but also the attitudes, values, and beliefs of its population.