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This entry gives the basic form of government. Definitions of the major 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, i.e., without any 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; state controls are imposed with the elimination of private ownership of property or capital while claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people (i.e., 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 over all matters except those delegated to the central government.
Constitutional - a government by or operating under an authoritative document (constitution) that sets forth the system of fundamental laws and principles that determines 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 upon both individuals as well as upon 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 the struggle of workers as a progression of historical forces that would proceed from a class struggle of the proletariat (workers) exploited by capitalists (business owners), to a socialist"dictatorship of the proletariat," to, finally, a classless society - Communism.
Marxism-Leninism - an expanded form of communism developed by Lenin from doctrines of Karl Marx; Lenin saw imperialism as the final stage of capitalism and shifted the focus of workers' struggle from developed to underdeveloped countries.
Monarchy - a government in which the supreme power is lodged 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 control is exercised by a small group of individuals whose authority generally is based on wealth or power.
Parliamentary democracy - a political system in which the legislature (parliament) selects the government - a prime minister, premier, or chancellor along with the cabinet ministers - according to party strength as expressed in elections; by this system, the government acquires a dual responsibility: to the people as well as to the parliament.
Parliamentary government (Cabinet-Parliamentary government) - a government in which members of an executive branch (the cabinet and its leader - a prime minister, premier, or chancellor) are nominated to their positions by a legislature or parliament, and are directly responsible to it; this type of government can be dissolved at will by the parliament (legislature) by means of 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 (i.e., the exercise of sovereign powers by a monarch in a ceremonial capacity); true 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 the Deity's laws are interpreted by ecclesiastical authorities (bishops, mullahs, etc.); 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.

Afghanistan

theocratic; the United States does not recognize the Taliban Government

Albania

parliamentary republic

Algeria

presidential republic

American Samoa

unincorporated, unorganized Territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches

Andorra

parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains its chiefs of state in the form of a co-principality; the two princes are the President of France and Bishop of Seu d'Urgell, Spain

Angola

presidential republic

Anguilla

parliamentary democracy (House of Assembly); self-governing overseas territory of the UK

Antarctica

Antarctic Treaty Summary - the Antarctic region is governed by a system known as the Antarctic Treaty system; the system includes: 1. the Antarctic Treaty, signed on 1 December 1959 and entered into force on 23 June 1961, which establishes the legal framework for the management of Antarctica, 2. Measures, Decisions, and Resolutions adopted at Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings, 3. The Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972), 4. The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (1980), and 5. The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (1991); the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings operate by consensus (not by vote) of all consultative parties at annual Treaty meetings; by January 2024, there were 56 treaty member nations: 29 consultative and 27 non-consultative; consultative (decision-making) members include the seven nations that claim portions of Antarctica as national territory (some claims overlap) and 22 non-claimant nations; the US and Russia have reserved the right to make claims; the US does not recognize the claims of others; Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations; measures adopted at these meetings are carried out by these member nations (with respect to their own nationals and operations) in accordance with their own national laws; the years in parentheses indicate when a consultative member-nation acceded to the Treaty and when it was accepted as a consultative member, while no date indicates the country was an original 1959 treaty signatory; claimant nations are - Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, NZ, Norway, and the UK; nonclaimant consultative nations are - Belgium, Brazil (1975/1983), Bulgaria (1978/1998), China (1983/1985), Czechia (1962/2014), Ecuador (1987/1990), Finland (1984/1989), Germany (1979/1981), India (1983/1983), Italy (1981/1987), Japan, South Korea (1986/1989), Netherlands (1967/1990), Peru (1981/1989), Poland (1961/1977), Russia, South Africa, Spain (1982/1988), Sweden (1984/1988), Ukraine (1992/2004), Uruguay (1980/1985), and the US; non-consultative members, with year of accession in parentheses, are - Austria (1987), Belarus (2006), Canada (1988), Colombia (1989), Costa Rica (2022) Cuba (1984), Denmark (1965), Estonia (2001), Greece (1987), Guatemala (1991), Hungary (1984), Iceland (2015), Kazakhstan (2015), North Korea (1987), Malaysia (2011), Monaco (2008), Mongolia (2015), Pakistan (2012), Papua New Guinea (1981), Portugal (2010), Romania (1971), San Marino (2023), Slovakia (1962/1993), Slovenia (2019), Switzerland (1990), Turkey (1996), and Venezuela (1999); note - Czechoslovakia acceded to the Treaty in 1962 and separated into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993; Article 1 - area to be used for peaceful purposes only; military activity, such as weapons testing, is prohibited, but military personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purpose; Article 2 - freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation shall continue; Article 3 - free exchange of information and personnel, cooperation with the UN and other international agencies; Article 4 - does not recognize, dispute, or establish territorial claims and no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force; Article 5 - prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes; Article 6 - includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves south of 60 degrees 00 minutes south and reserves high seas rights; Article 7 - treaty-state observers have free access, including aerial observation, to any area and may inspect all stations, installations, and equipment; advance notice of all expeditions and of the introduction of military personnel must be given; Article 8 - allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by their own states; Article 9 - frequent consultative meetings take place among member nations; Article 10 - treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty; Article 11 - disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or, ultimately, by the International Court of Justice; Articles 12, 13, 14 - deal with upholding, interpreting, and amending the treaty among involved nations; other agreements - some 200 measures adopted at treaty consultative meetings and approved by governments; the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed 4 October 1991 and entered into force 14 January 1998; this agreement provides for the protection of the Antarctic environment and includes five annexes that have entered into force: 1) environmental impact assessment, 2) conservation of Antarctic fauna and flora, 3) waste disposal and waste management, 4) prevention of marine pollution, 5) area protection and management; a sixth annex addressing liability arising from environmental emergencies has yet to enter into force; the Protocol prohibits all activities relating to mineral resources except scientific research; a permanent Antarctic Treaty Secretariat was established in 2004 in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Antigua and Barbuda

parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Argentina

presidential republic

Armenia

parliamentary democracy; note - constitutional changes adopted in December 2015 transformed the government to a parliamentary system

Aruba

parliamentary democracy; part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Australia

federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Austria

federal parliamentary republic

Azerbaijan

presidential republic

Bahamas, The

parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Bahrain

constitutional monarchy

Bangladesh

parliamentary republic

Barbados

parliamentary republic; a Commonwealth realm

Belarus

presidential republic in name, although in fact a dictatorship

Belgium

federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy

Belize

parliamentary democracy (National Assembly) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Benin

presidential republic

Bermuda

Overseas Territory of the UK with limited self-government; parliamentary democracy

Bhutan

constitutional monarchy

Bolivia

presidential republic

Bosnia and Herzegovina

parliamentary republic

Botswana

parliamentary republic

Brazil

federal presidential republic

British Virgin Islands

Overseas Territory of the UK with limited self-government; parliamentary democracy

Brunei

absolute monarchy or sultanate

Bulgaria

parliamentary republic

Burkina Faso

presidential republic

Burma

military regime

Burundi

presidential republic

Cabo Verde

parliamentary republic

Cambodia

parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Cameroon

presidential republic

Canada

federal parliamentary democracy (Parliament of Canada) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm; federal and state authorities and responsibilities regulated in constitution

Cayman Islands

parliamentary democracy; self-governing overseas territory of the UK

Central African Republic

presidential republic

Chad

presidential republic

Chile

presidential republic

China

communist party-led state

Christmas Island

non-self-governing overseas territory of Australia

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

non-self-governing overseas territory of Australia

Colombia

presidential republic

Comoros

federal presidential republic

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

semi-presidential republic

Congo, Republic of the

presidential republic

Cook Islands

parliamentary democracy

Costa Rica

presidential republic

Cote d'Ivoire

presidential republic

Croatia

parliamentary republic

Cuba

communist state

Curacao

parliamentary democracy

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus - presidential republic; self-declared "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC) - parliamentary republic with enhanced presidency

note: a separation of the two main ethnic communities inhabiting the island began following the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this separation was further solidified when a Greek military-junta-supported coup attempt prompted the Turkish military intervention in July 1974 that gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north; Greek Cypriots control the only internationally recognized government on the island; on 15 November 1983, then Turkish Cypriot "President" Rauf DENKTAS declared independence and the formation of the "TRNC,” which is recognized only by Turkey

Czechia

parliamentary republic

Denmark

parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Djibouti

presidential republic

Dominica

parliamentary republic

Dominican Republic

presidential republic

Ecuador

presidential republic

Egypt

presidential republic

El Salvador

presidential republic

Equatorial Guinea

presidential republic

Eritrea

presidential republic

Estonia

parliamentary republic

Eswatini

absolute monarchy

Ethiopia

federal parliamentary republic

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

parliamentary democracy (Legislative Assembly); self-governing overseas territory of the UK

Faroe Islands

parliamentary democracy (Faroese Parliament); part of the Kingdom of Denmark

Fiji

parliamentary republic

Finland

parliamentary republic

France

semi-presidential republic

French Polynesia

parliamentary democracy (Assembly of French Polynesia); an overseas collectivity of France

Gabon

presidential republic

Gambia, The

presidential republic

Georgia

semi-presidential republic

Germany

federal parliamentary republic

Ghana

presidential republic

Gibraltar

parliamentary democracy (Parliament); self-governing overseas territory of the UK

Greece

parliamentary republic

Greenland

parliamentary democracy (Parliament of Greenland or Inatsisartut)

Grenada

parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Guam

unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches

Guatemala

presidential republic

Guernsey

parliamentary democracy (States of Deliberation)

Guinea

presidential republic

Guinea-Bissau

semi-presidential republic

Guyana

parliamentary republic

Haiti

semi-presidential republic

Holy See (Vatican City)

ecclesiastical elective monarchy; self-described as an "absolute monarchy"

Honduras

presidential republic

Hong Kong

presidential limited democracy; a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China

Hungary

parliamentary republic

Iceland

unitary parliamentary republic

India

federal parliamentary republic

Indonesia

presidential republic

Iran

theocratic republic

Iraq

federal parliamentary republic

Ireland

parliamentary republic

Isle of Man

parliamentary democracy (Tynwald)

Israel

parliamentary democracy

Italy

parliamentary republic

Jamaica

parliamentary democracy (Parliament) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Japan

parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Jersey

parliamentary democracy (Assembly of the States of Jersey)

Jordan

parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Kazakhstan

presidential republic

Kenya

presidential republic

Kiribati

presidential republic

Korea, North

dictatorship, single-party state; official state ideology of "Juche" or "national self-reliance"

Korea, South

presidential republic

Kosovo

parliamentary republic

Kuwait

constitutional monarchy (emirate)

Kyrgyzstan

parliamentary republic

Laos

communist state

Latvia

parliamentary republic

Lebanon

parliamentary republic

Lesotho

parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Liberia

presidential republic

Libya

in transition

Liechtenstein

constitutional monarchy

Lithuania

semi-presidential republic

Luxembourg

constitutional monarchy

Macau

executive-led limited democracy; a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China

Madagascar

semi-presidential republic

Malawi

presidential republic

Malaysia

federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy

note: all Peninsular Malaysian states have hereditary rulers (commonly referred to as sultans) except Melaka (Malacca) and Pulau Pinang (Penang); those two states along with Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia have governors appointed by government; powers of state governments are limited by the federal constitution; under terms of federation, Sabah and Sarawak retain certain constitutional prerogatives (e.g., right to maintain their own immigration controls)

Maldives

presidential republic

Mali

semi-presidential republic

Malta

parliamentary republic

Marshall Islands

mixed presidential-parliamentary system in free association with the US

Mauritania

presidential republic

Mauritius

parliamentary republic

Mexico

federal presidential republic

Micronesia, Federated States of

federal republic in free association with the US

Moldova

parliamentary republic

Monaco

constitutional monarchy

Mongolia

semi-presidential republic

Montenegro

parliamentary republic

Montserrat

parliamentary democracy; self-governing overseas territory of the UK

Morocco

parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Mozambique

presidential republic

Namibia

presidential republic

Nauru

parliamentary republic

Nepal

federal parliamentary republic

Netherlands

parliamentary constitutional monarchy; part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

New Caledonia

parliamentary democracy (Territorial Congress); an overseas collectivity of France

New Zealand

parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Nicaragua

presidential republic

Niger

semi-presidential republic

Nigeria

federal presidential republic

Niue

parliamentary democracy

Norfolk Island

non-self-governing overseas territory of Australia; note - the Norfolk Island Regional Council, which began operations 1 July 2016, is responsible for planning and managing a variety of public services, including those funded by the Government of Australia

North Macedonia

parliamentary republic

Northern Mariana Islands

a commonwealth in political union with and under the sovereignty of the US; republican form of government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches

Norway

parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Oman

absolute monarchy

Pakistan

federal parliamentary republic

Palau

presidential republic in free association with the US

Panama

presidential republic

Papua New Guinea

parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Paraguay

presidential republic

Peru

presidential republic

Philippines

presidential republic

Pitcairn Islands

parliamentary democracy

Poland

parliamentary republic

Portugal

semi-presidential republic

Puerto Rico

unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches; note - reference Puerto Rican Federal Relations Act, 2 March 1917, as amended by Public Law 600, 3 July 1950

Qatar

absolute monarchy

Romania

semi-presidential republic

Russia

semi-presidential federation

Rwanda

presidential republic

Saint Barthelemy

parliamentary democracy (Territorial Council); overseas collectivity of France

Saint Kitts and Nevis

federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Saint Lucia

parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Saint Martin

parliamentary democracy (Territorial Council); overseas collectivity of France

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

parliamentary democracy (Territorial Council); overseas collectivity of France

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Samoa

parliamentary republic

San Marino

parliamentary republic

Sao Tome and Principe

semi-presidential republic

Saudi Arabia

absolute monarchy

Senegal

presidential republic

Serbia

parliamentary republic

Seychelles

presidential republic

Sierra Leone

presidential republic

Singapore

parliamentary republic

Sint Maarten

parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy

Slovakia

parliamentary republic

Slovenia

parliamentary republic

Solomon Islands

parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Somalia

federal parliamentary republic

South Africa

parliamentary republic

South Sudan

presidential republic

Spain

parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Sri Lanka

presidential republic

Sudan

presidential republic

Suriname

presidential republic

Svalbard

non-self-governing territory of Norway

Sweden

parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Switzerland

federal republic (formally a confederation)

Syria

presidential republic; highly authoritarian regime

Taiwan

semi-presidential republic

Tajikistan

presidential republic

Tanzania

presidential republic

Thailand

constitutional monarchy

Timor-Leste

semi-presidential republic

Togo

presidential republic

Tokelau

parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy

Tonga

constitutional monarchy

Trinidad and Tobago

parliamentary republic

Tunisia

parliamentary republic

Turkey (Turkiye)

presidential republic

Turkmenistan

presidential republic; authoritarian

Turks and Caicos Islands

parliamentary democracy

Tuvalu

parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Uganda

presidential republic

Ukraine

semi-presidential republic

United Arab Emirates

federation of monarchies

United Kingdom

parliamentary constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

United States

constitutional federal republic

Uruguay

presidential republic

Uzbekistan

presidential republic; highly authoritarian

Vanuatu

parliamentary republic

Venezuela

federal presidential republic

Vietnam

communist state

Virgin Islands

unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches

Wallis and Futuna

parliamentary democracy (Territorial Assembly); overseas collectivity of France

Yemen

in transition

Zambia

presidential republic

Zimbabwe

presidential republic