1. Lindsey Page |1
Representation vs. Authoritarianism
Representation Compared
A form of government in which the people
Direct
participate in deciding issues directly. It operates
on the belief that every citizen’s voice is important
and necessary for the orderly and efficient
operation of society.
A system of government in which the ministers of
X
the executive branch get their democratic
legitimacy from the legislature and are
accountable to that body, such that the executive
Parliamentary and legislative branches are intertwined.
--------------------------
o Government led by party with most
representatives  Consist of three
o Elected party; appoint senate branches of
government:
A form of government where governing authority Executive,
is vested in the hands of the representatives of the Legislative, Judicial
citizens and not a ruling monarch. Generally, a  Parties run for
president is the head of state and the head of leadership
Republican
government.  Vote for leaders
-------------------  Leaders do not have
o Elected House of State ultimate control over
o Appointed Cabinet the government, but
may have the most
A system of government where citizens vote power in decision-
directly for a party, and then representatives are making
assigned based on the amount of popular support
obtained. This results in a fairly accurate
Proportional representation within the legislature of the will of
the people.
--------------------
o Vote for party, not candidate
o Minority government
Government leadership
Executive Branch
Head of state, government & their cabinet
Make & debate laws
Legislative Branch
Vote to pass bills into law
Interpret & apply law
Judicial Branch Courts & judges
Provincial/Federal/Supreme Court

2. Lindsey Page |2
Authoritarianism Compared
A form of government in which sovereignty is actually
or nominally embodied in a single individual.
-----------------------
o Total authority over government and civil
matters
o King, Emperor, Sheik, Tzar
Monarchy o Usually passed through bloodlines, but in rare
cases monarchs can be elected
o Often are based more on tradition
o Often leaders are seen as “sent from above”
or try to convince their people that they are
divine in some manner and should be treated
as such (ex: Tzar)
A form of government in which political power rests
with a small elite segment of society. Often consists
of politically powerful families who pass on their
 Ultimate control
influence to their children.
over the country
--------------------------
 Either idolized or
Oligarchy o The Russian Federation is considered an
loathed by the
oligarchy because of the influence carried by
country
members of the former communist party
 Pure forms aren’t
o Some theorize that all forms of government
generally found
eventually become oligarchies (ex: the
today
Clintons and Bushes in US Parliament)
A form of government where only one party forms
the government and no other parties are permitted
to run candidates for election.
One-Party State -----------------------
o Usually considered fascism or communism
o Sometimes candidates may be voted for but
they are all members of only one party
A form of government in which political power
resides with the military leadership.
----------------------
Military Dictatorship o Not considered legitimate on an international
scale
o May be official or unofficial and usually do not
give up power willingly

3. Lindsey Page |3
Representation and Authoritarianism Compared
o Leader and party have limited
 Have some kind of leader of
control
the government (whether
o Generally acts in the interest of the
it’s a military leader in a
people (may be forced to by the
Representation Military Dictatorship or
people)
president in a Republican
o Usually have a fixed term that
Democracy)
members of the government can
 Require outside support
serve in office
(either from the military, the
people or some
o Leader/party have ultimate control
combination of the two) to
o Generally acts in the interest of
enforce/support laws and
personal gain (may try to convince
decisions made
the people it is best for them even if
Authoritarianism  Today there are no truly
it isn’t)
pure forms of
o Usually don’t have a fixed term that
Representation or
members of the government can
Authoritarianism
serve in office