In this type of government, there is no clear-cut separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches, though the legislative has most of the governmental power.
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Oligarchy
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This means \"rule by a small group\" and describes the system of government employed by Ancient Sparta.
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Representative Democracy
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This is a type of government in which the people give elected officials the authority to make laws and conduct government business.
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Bicameral
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This is the practice of having two chambers in a legislature or a parliament.
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European Union
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This is a political and economic group that was formed in 1992 to encourage cooperation between the 27 member states.
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Monarchy
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This is the form of government with one ruler, such as a king or queen.
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Presidential Democracy
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In this type of government, the elected head of the executive branch acts independently of the legislative and judicial branches.
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Constitutional Monarchy
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This is form of government in which a monarch is the head of state but his or her powers are restricted by law, usually within a parliamentary system.
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Republic
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This is a form of government in which citizens elect leaders to run the government.
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Dictatorship
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A government in which absolute power is exercised by one ruler.
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Autocratic
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This is a type of government in which power is held by a single, self-appointed ruler.
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Prime Minister
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This is the name given to the most senior member of the majority party in a parliamentary system.
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Federalism
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This system of government has powers divided between the central government and regional governments, with central government being supreme.
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Federation
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This is a type of government in which a group of individual states are united under a strong, central government.
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Confederation
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A group of provinces or states that come together under a common constitution. They differ from a federation in that they retain specific state or provincial rights.
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Compulsory Voting
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This is part of a political system in which casting a ballot in an election is required by law.
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Democracy
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In this type of government, political and governmental power is held by the citizens of the country.
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Parliament
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This is the name given to a legislative body- such as that in Great Britain- that is usually led by a Prime Minister.