Term Definitions

1. Bureaucracy; A group of officials that make laws, regulations, and functions of their institution. (non-elected officials)
2. Aristocracy; A form of government where specifically chosen people are the rulers, and these  people must meet certain criteria in order to rule.
3. Constitutionalism; A form of government where the belief is that the authority of the government is limited by fundamental law.
4. Autocracy; A system of government ruled by one person who has all power. Whatever the one leader says is final, and will be put into action. The only limitation to his/her power is the threat of being taken over the by people.
5. Monarchy; A form of government where everything ruled by a monarch is ruled by only the one individual (monarch).
6. Dictatorship; A branch of autocratic government ruled by a dictator. A dictatorship can also be ruled by a clique (a closely associated group of people).
7. Totalitarianism; A form of government where the state has total control over the people and makes the decisions.
8. Absolutism; Absolutism has many different forms, but in whatever form it's in the ruler's power is absolute. Everything they say or do cannot be overturned. 
9. Democracy; A form of government in which the people have a say in changes made to the country or area of rule. The people vote on different events like elections, the making of laws, etc.
10. Oligarchy; A government system where the power is in the hands of a small group of people. These people have different criteria in which they are able to rule. Power is usually passed down by families, generation to generation.