DEMOCRATIC FORMS

GOVERNMENT BY THE PEOPLE WHERE EVERYONE HAS A VOICE TO GOVERN.

REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY

PEOPLE ELECT REPRESENTATIVES TO MAKE LAWS FOR THEM. 

SYNONYM:  REPUBLIC

CHARACTERISTICS: 

•  A PRESIDENT IS ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE
• CONGRESS (BICAMERAL) SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PRESIDENT IS THE HEAD OF THE COUNTRY
• EXAMPLE THE UNITED STATES

DIRECT DEMOCRACY 

PEOPLE VOTE DIRECTLY FOR LAWS, NO ELECTED OFFICIAL/REPRESENTATIVE

CHARACTERISTICS:  REFERENDUM

EXAMPLE:

NEW ENGLAND TOWN HALL MEETINGS

PARLIAMENTARY

A SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IN WHICH BOTH EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE FUNCTIONS RESIDE IN AN ELECTED ASSEMBLY.

CHARACTERISTICS:

THE PARLIAMENT ELECTS THE PRIME MINISTER

EXAMPLES:  GREAT BRITAIN, CANADA, AUSTRALIA. 

PRESIDENTIAL

SAME AS REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY

THEOCRACY

GOVERNMENT BY RELIGION

EXAMPLES:  IRAQ, IRAN