Forms of Government

Forms of government refer to the structures and systems by which a country or community is organized and governed. Common types include democracy, where power rests with the people through voting; monarchy, where a king or queen rules; authoritarianism, where a single leader or party holds power with little public input; and republic, where representatives are elected to make decisions on behalf of citizens. Each form varies in how laws are created, rights are protected, and leaders are selected, affecting how citizens interact with their government and the level of freedom they experience.