List of countries by system of government |
This is a list of countries categorized by system of
government currently in use.
In which a country is governed by an elected president, or a cabinet appointed by a legislature
elected in (more or less) free and fair elections.
Africa
Asia
Europe
North America
South America
Democratic constitutional monarchies
In which a country is governed by an elected legislature and prime minister, with a monarch as a
symbolic head of state. (see also Current monarchies)
Africa
- Lesotho (kingdom; authoritarian tendencies)
- Morocco (kingdom; authoritarian tendencies)
Asia
Europe
North America
South America
Commonwealth realms share a common monarch
Absolute monarchies
In which a country is governed solely by an absolute
monarch, possibly along with other members of his family.
Authoritarian republics
In which a country is governed by a dictatorial leader or a single-party
hierarchy that does not allow for effective popular opposition.
Africa
Asia
Military governments
In which a country is governed by the military which has seized control of
the nation's political institutions.
Africa
Asia
Communist states
In which a country is governed by a Communist Party hierarchy.
Such countries do not necessarily operate in practice under a socialist or
communist economic system.
North America
Asia
Transitional governments
In which a country is governed by a recently-established caretaker
administration, and thus cannot be accurately identified as one of the above.
Africa
Asia
North America
This list may be subject to debate. Some countries may fall into more than one category.
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