Political Systems: fun facts and quiz

Governments make and enforce rules, collect taxes, and provide services like defence, roads and schools. How they’re chosen varies a lot between countries.

Key fact
Many countries split power between lawmakers, leaders and courts.

In a democracy, citizens choose their leaders in free elections. Most modern democracies are representative: people elect others to decide for them.

Key fact
“Democracy” comes from the Greek for “rule by the people”.

A monarchy has a king, queen or emperor as head of state. In constitutional monarchies, like the UK, Japan and Spain, the monarch’s role is mostly ceremonial.

Key fact
Japan has the world’s oldest continuing hereditary monarchy.

In a presidential system, like the USA’s, voters pick a president who leads the government. In a parliamentary system, like Germany’s, the head of government comes from parliament.

Key fact
The UK prime minister usually leads the largest party in parliament.

In authoritarian systems, power sits with one leader or party that doesn’t face free and fair elections. Opposition parties and the press are often restricted.

Key fact
A system with only one legal party is called a one-party state.

In a federal country, like the USA, Germany or Brazil, power is shared between a national government and states or regions. In a unitary one, like France, it’s mostly central.

Key fact
Germany has 16 federal states.

Countries count votes differently. First-past-the-post gives each area to its top candidate; proportional systems give parties seats in line with their share of the vote.

Key fact
Some countries, like Germany, mix both systems.