In some countries, only
one political party is
allowed to exist; all others
are banned. When there
is an election, the one
party decides who the
candidates will be and
the voters only get to
approve that choice.Many countries, like the UK,
have a king or queen who acts
as head of state but does not
govern the country. However,
there are a few countries where the monarch still
holds all the power and governs the country. These
“absolute monarchs” are not elected, but when
they die, power passes to their son or daughter.In some countries, if the
government is weak or
unpopular, the army seizes
power and forms a military
government. The country is
governed by a military junta—
a group of senior military
officers, often with one
particular general in control.HISTORY AND POLITICS
ONE-PARTY STATE
MONARCHY
MILITARY RULE
THE UNION OF
MYANMAR
In 1962, a military coup overthrew
the Burmese government and since
then a general has taken the
position as head of state. All the
cabinet roles are held by military
officers. Ethnic struggles between the
Government (junta), the Karen
National Union, and the Mong Tai
Army have continued. REPUBLIC
OF CUBA
The Cuban
Communist
Party is the
only recognized
political party. KINGDOM OF
BRUNEI
The Sultan of Brunei has
absolute power.NONDEMOCRATIC
What is a government?
A government is a small group of people who make laws and decisions about
how their country is run. They raise money from everyone in taxes and decide
how this money is to be spent, such as on hospitals, schools, the army, prisons,
and the building of new roads.
WHO’S WHO?
OPresident A head of state of a republic
with either extensive powers (as in the
US) or limited powers (as in Germany).
OPrime minister The head of
government in a parliamentary democracy.
O Dictator A ruler who has absolute
power.
OMonarchy The hereditary rule of a
single person. An absolute monarch has
unchecked powers, while a constitutional
monarch has limited powers.
OOpposition The parties that are not in
a government and may disagree with the
governing party.
OSenate The upper house of a
legislative assembly (as in the US).
OCabinet A group of ministers or others
that advises a head of government.
ORepresentative A person who is
elected to represent the public in
making laws.(c) 2012 Dorling Kindersley. All Rights Reserved.(c) 2012 Dorling Kindersley. All Rights Reserved.