The Best of All Possible Governments

DIRECTIONS: Read through the following list of types of governments. Think about which of these would make the BEST form of government and which would make the WORST form of government.

aristocracy : a government by those regarded as superior, with those who are inferior being allotted to certain other professions as which would best serve the state

democracy : a government of themselves by the people collectively, either directly or by elected representatives

dictatorship : a state or government ruled by one person having absolute powers, often one exercising these tyrannically

monarchy : a government in which the supreme power, either absolute or limited, is vested in a supreme ruler, usually hereditary

oligarchy : a government in which the ruling power is in the hands of a few, though not necessarily elected officials

plutocracy : a government by the wealthy

republic : a state or country in which the supreme power is vested in representatives, elected by popular vote, who then make decisions for the entire populous without popular voting on each issue

socialism : a system of public ownership of all production, distribution and communication such that everyone is equal and has equal benefits from th