A political system is a set of basic rules about government,
such as who gets to be in charge, how they are chosen, andhow a government divides up its many responsibilities.
Most systems are designed to hold together a state - theword for an independent country with its own government.
No country has a perfect political system. Sometimes,
arguments about how to change the system have led to warsand revolutions. And some people think it‘d be better to doaway with government altogether. - P29
Authoritarian systems
Until the 1800s, most states were ruled by a single very powerfulleader. Today, states with this kind of government - either a singleare known asperson called a dictator, or a small committee-authoritarian states. - P32
No opposition
Many dictators came to power afteran election. It suits them to pretendthey still run a democratic country -but they don‘t want to lose any futureelections, so they set new rules tomake sure no one else can win. - P32
No criticism
Anyone who speaks orpublishes ideas thatcriticize the leader, or thestate as a whole, can bearrested and imprisoned. - P32
The strictest dictators use laws to demandtotal obedience, and even hero worship, fromtheir citizens. States with these laws in placeare described as totalitarian. - P32
Army rule
Sometimes, a country‘s militarychiefs seize power. These chiefs may decide to stay in chargeuntil they feel the country isready for an election - whichmay take decades. - P33
God‘s law
In some countries, spiritual and religiousleaders are in charge. They often have support from huge numbers of people,
more than any army.
A political system based onreligious laws is known as atheocracy. These laws can be asstrict as any dictator‘s laws. - P33
Communism
During the 20th century, several countries tried to set up a new system known as communism. - P34
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