Page 88 - Key to Social Studies 3

What Is a Government?

A government is a group of people that governs

a community, to set the public policy and rules

to keep order. Some governments are strong

because of the community support. Other

governments force changes and laws that the

community should follow.

There are three main types of government: Ruled by One Person

Rule by One Person

Some countries have a government that is ruled

by one person. These countries are called

a monarchy, in which the power is with a king,

queen, emperor, and so on. The monarch passes

their power to a family member. A country might

be a dictatorship, where one person has decided

that they will be the single ruler. Ruled by a Small Group

Rule by a Small Group

Some countries have a government that is ruled

by a small group of people. These countries are

referred to as an oligarchy, where this small

group makes decisions about rules and laws and

they tell the people how they will live.

Rule by the People

Some countries practice democracy, where the

citizens of the country help to choose the
Ruled by the People
leaders. Citizens vote for and elect people to

make laws for the country.
86