Government 101

1. Monarchy – A government by one ruler such as a king or queen. Passed down from one generation to the next in the same family, hereditary.

2. Oligarchy -- A government by a ruling elite group of people.  The rulers make decisions to benefit themselves.

3. Democracy -- The rules and decisions are made by a majority (51%).  A super majority is 60%.  

4. Republic -- Decisions are held accountable to the law.  The majority doesn’t make the final decision.  The decision is up to the courts.  

5. Anarchy  -- There is no government.  People are allowed to make their own decisions.  This includes defending their own land, property, and themselves.


Why does America have federal and state government?

America has state government because each state leans towards a different side in the parties, so they make laws that most of the people in that state would agree with. They have the federal government to makes all the laws for everyone, but the state government can enforce laws that would help their state.

Federal government deals with common laws and international issues. State government handles small or local problems and the government deals with the larger issues. Different states have different problems for them to worry about.