WRITTEN REPORT

IN
SSE 116

Prepared by:
Alferez, Hubert S.
Bandong, Rodolfo,Jr. N.
Beltran, Jamaica S.
Cabuang, Rose Ann V.
Cacabelos, Mary Joy C.
Carbonel, Janine P.
Cristobal, Wilmar M.
Dela Cruz, Daniela Marie A.
Delprado, Laurence P.
Ferrer, Arcelie Leanne R.
Ferrer, Jhon Paul M.
Quijano, Riza Mea B.
Submitted to:
Creleah R. Menor,EdD
Instructor
I.Topic:

FORMS OF GOVERNMENT

II.Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of this lesson ,the students should be able to :

A. identify the different forms of government

B. understand the functions of different forms of government in various countries.
C. analyze the similarities and differences between various forms of government.

III.Overview

Governments play a crucial role in shaping societies, maintaining order, and

implementing policies that impact citizens' lives. This module explores the different
forms of government, their structures, functions, and how they operate in various
countries. By examining systems such as monarchies, aristocracies, democracies,
republics, parliamentary and presidential governments, communism, totalitarianism, and
authoritarianism, learners will gain a comprehensive understanding of political
organization worldwide.

IV:Discussion
FORMS OF GOVERNMENT

1. Monarchy

Monarchy is a form of government in which a single person, the monarch, rules as the
head of state for life or until abdication. Monarchies can be absolute, where the
monarch has unchecked power, or constitutional, where their powers are limited by a
constitution or governing body. Countries such as the United Kingdom and Japan
practice constitutional monarchy, while Saudi Arabia represents an absolute monarchy
(Heywood, 2019).

Types of Monarchy:

● Absolute Monarchy: The monarch has complete control over governance

and is not bound by a constitution. Example: Saudi Arabia, where the king holds
broad executive powers, though advisory bodies exist.
 ● Constitutional Monarchy: The monarch's power is limited by laws and a
constitution, with governance primarily handled by elected officials. Examples:
United Kingdom and Japan.

2. Aristocracy

Aristocracy is a form of government where power is held by a privileged elite, typically

those with noble birth, wealth, or exceptional ability. Historically, aristocratic rule was
common in ancient Greece and medieval Europe. While modern democracies have
largely curtailed aristocratic power, remnants still exist in institutions such as the House
of Lords in the United Kingdom (Dahl, 2020).

Types of Aristocracy:

● Hereditary Aristocracy: Power is passed down through family lineage, as seen

in medieval Europe, where nobility held political authority.
● Meritocratic Aristocracy: Leadership is based on intellectual, military, or
administrative excellence, as in ancient Sparta, where rule was influenced by
warriors and skilled leaders.

3.Democracy

Democracy is a system of government in which power is vested in the people, either

directly or through elected representatives. It emphasizes equal participation, the
rule of law, and the protection of rights and freedoms. Modern democracies, such
as the United States, Canada, and India, uphold these principles through free and fair
elections (Lipset, 2021).

Types of Democracy:

● Direct Democracy: Citizens participate directly in decision-making without

intermediaries. Example: Ancient Athens, where eligible citizens voted on laws
and policies.
● Representative Democracy: Elected officials make decisions on behalf of the
people. Example: The United States, where representatives are chosen through
elections to govern at various levels.

4.Republican Government

A republic is a system of government in which power resides in elected

representatives and an elected leader, rather than a monarchy. Republican systems
often operate under a constitution that safeguards individual rights and outlines the
structure of governance. Examples include the United States, Brazil, and South
Korea (Linz, 2018).

Types of Republics:

● Federal Republic: Power is divided between a central government and

regional governments. Example: The United States, where states have their
own governments alongside the federal government.
● Constitutional Republic: Power is held by the people, but exercised through
elected representatives, and a constitution outlines the power and limits of
government.

5.Parliamentary Government

A parliamentary government features a fusion of executive and legislative powers,

where the head of government (Prime Minister) is elected by the legislature. The
executive branch derives its legitimacy from and is accountable to the legislature.
Countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan follow this model
(Lijphart, 2019).

Types of Parliamentary Systems:

● Majority Parliamentary System: The ruling party holds an absolute majority in

the legislature, allowing it to govern without forming coalitions. Example: The
United Kingdom, where the party with a majority in the House of Commons
forms the government.
● Coalition Parliamentary System: Multiple parties form a coalition
government when no single party has a majority. Example: Germany, where
coalition governments are common due to a multiparty system.

6.Presidential Government

A presidential government maintains a clear separation of powers between the

executive and legislative branches. The President, elected by the populace, serves
as both head of state and head of government. This system is found in the United
States, Mexico, and Argentina (Shugart & Carey, 2020).

Types of Presidential Systems:

● Single Executive System: The President holds both executive and ceremonial
roles without a separate prime minister. Example: The United States, where the
President is both the head of state and head of government.
● Dual Executive System: The President shares executive power with a Prime
Minister. Example: France, where the President oversees foreign policy while the
Prime Minister handles domestic governance.
 7. Communist Government

Communism is a system where the government controls all aspects of production

and property, aiming to eliminate private ownership and establish a classless
society. Communist states are typically single-party systems, where the ruling party
directs policies toward collective ownership and centralized planning. Countries such as
China, Vietnam, and Cuba operate under communist principles (Marx & Engels, 2019).

Types of Communist Systems:

● Marxist-Leninist Communism: The state controls production and resources

to eliminate class struggle. Example: The Soviet Union, where the Communist
Party maintained strict central planning.
● Maoist Communism: Focuses on agrarian revolutions and rural-based
governance. Example: China under Mao Zedong, which emphasized peasant-
led uprisings and collectivization.

8. Totalitarian Government

Totalitarianism is a form of government in which a single party or leader holds

absolute control over all aspects of public and private life. These regimes often use
propaganda, censorship, and surveillance to maintain their grip on power. Historical
and modern examples include Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union under Stalin, and
North Korea (Arendt, 2021).

Types of Totalitarianism:

● Fascist Totalitarianism: Based on ultranationalist ideology, often

emphasizing racial or cultural supremacy. Example: Nazi Germany, where Adolf
Hitler's regime promoted Aryan superiority and militarism.
● Communist Totalitarianism: Based on a classless ideology with centralized
state control. Example: The Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin, which
enforced strict state planning, repression, and purges.

9.Authoritarian Government

An authoritarian government concentrates power in a single ruler or a small group,

often without constitutional accountability. Unlike totalitarian regimes, authoritarian
governments may allow limited economic or social freedoms, though political
opposition is heavily restricted. Examples include modern Russia, Myanmar, and
Venezuela (Levitsky & Way, 2020).
Characteristics of Authoritarianism (Linz, 2000):

1. Limited political pluralism, with constraints on legislatures, political parties,

and interest groups.
2. Political legitimacy based on emotional appeals, often portraying the regime
as a necessary force against societal problems like underdevelopment or
insurgency.
3. Minimal political mobilization, with active suppression of anti-regime activities.
4. Ill-defined executive powers, which are vague and shifting, allowing the
leader to extend their control.

Types of Authoritarianism:

● Military Authoritarianism: Governance is controlled by military leadership.

Example: Myanmar’s junta, where the military seized power and suppresses
opposition.
● Civilian Authoritarianism: A leader holds power through political means
rather than military force. Example: Venezuela under Nicolás Maduro, where
control is maintained through political influence and suppression of dissent.

VI:References

Arendt, H. (2021). The origins of totalitarianism. Penguin Classics.

Dahl, R. A. (2020). On democracy. Yale University Press.

Heywood, A. (2019). Politics. Macmillan International Higher Education.

Levitsky, S., & Way, L. A. (2020). Competitive authoritarianism: Hybrid regimes after the
Cold War. Cambridge University Press.

Lijphart, A. (2019). Patterns of democracy: Government forms and performance in

thirty-six countries. Yale University Press.

Linz, J. J. (2018). The breakdown of democratic regimes. Johns Hopkins University

Press.

Lipset, S. M. (2021). Political man: The social bases of politics. Johns Hopkins
University Press.

Marx, K., & Engels, F. (2019). The communist manifesto. Penguin Classics.

Shugart, M. S., & Carey, J. M. (2020). Presidents and assemblies: Constitutional design
and electoral dynamics. Cambridge University Press.