1. the exercise of political authority over the actions, affairs, etc, of a political unit, people, etc, as well as the performance of certain functions for this unit or body; the action of governing; political rule and administration. 2. the system or form by which a community, etc, is ruled. tyrannical government.

The definition of government is the exercise of control or authority over a group of people. The body with the power to make and/or enforce laws to control a country, land area, people or organization.

1 : control and direction of public business (as of a city or a nation) The mayor makes decisions regarding the government of city departments. 2 : a system of control : an established form of political rule a democratic government. 3 : the people making up a governing body Their governments are committed to peace.

• Democracy. Democracy is a form of government that allows the people to choose leadership.
• Communism. Communism is a centralized form of government led by a single party that is often authoritarian in its rule.
• Socialism.
• Oligarchy.
• Aristocracy.
• Monarchy.
• Theocracy.
• Colonialism.

The governance of nations differs significantly based on who has power. This lesson will differentiate five forms of government: monarchy, democracy, oligarchy, authoritarianism, and totalitarianism.

Types of Government

• Monarchy – Rule of one.
• Oligarchy – Rule of the few.
• Theocracy – Technically, rule by God.
• Authoritarianism – Monopoly of political power by an individual or small group that otherwise allows people to go about their private lives as they wish.

• Government–A Definition.
• Public Institutions–Distinguishing Characteristics:
• Universality of the Government’s Reach within Society:
• The Government’s Control of the Use of Physical Force and Coercion:
• The Government and Political Legitimacy:
• Authoritative Decisionmaking and Action by the Government:

A dictatorship is a form of government, where one person effectively has all the power to run a country. In very few cases, a small group of people holds this power. This person is called a dictator. A dictatorship that is ruled by soldiers is called a military dictatorship or junta.

totalitarian. a country where the government has total or near-total control over people’s lives; civil rights (freedom of speech, religion, press, etc.) do not exist; only one political party is permitted; North Korea is an example.