Government systems around the world
Not every country picks its leaders the way the UK does — comparing systems shows what democracy can gain or lose in translation.
Part of your national curriculum
- Law and justice: Understand other systems and forms of government, both democratic and non-democratic, beyond the United Kingdom
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Understand other systems and forms of government, both democratic and non-democratic, beyond the United Kingdom
Key learning points
- • Democratic systems abroad
- • Non-democratic systems
- • Comparing systems
This lesson at a glance
- 28 minutes
- 14 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 14
Watch first
Government systems around the world
An English teaching video on this topic from Speaking Globally. Watch it, then scroll down for the lesson.
In a nutshell
Understand other systems and forms of government, both democratic and non-democratic, beyond the United Kingdom
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 14
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Democratic systems abroad
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 14
Learn
Democratic systems abroad
Some countries, like the USA, have a presidential system where voters directly elect a head of state separate from the legislature. Others, like Germany, are federal republics where power is shared between national and regional governments.
Explore the idea
Part 4 of 14
Learn
Non-democratic systems
In authoritarian states, power may be held by a single party, a monarch with full control, or a military government, with limited or no free elections and restricted freedom of speech or press.
Quick check
Part 5 of 14
Quick check
What is a feature of a presidential system, such as in the USA?
Reset break
Part 6 of 14
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 2 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Quick check
Part 7 of 14
Quick check
What often characterises an authoritarian state?
Learning cycle
Part 8 of 14
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Comparing systems
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 9 of 14
Learn
Comparing systems
Comparing government types helps citizens evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of their own system, such as how accountable leaders are, how easily citizens can remove a government, and how rights are protected.
Quick check
Part 10 of 14
Quick check
Why is it useful to compare different government systems?
Challenge round
Part 11 of 14
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 12 of 14
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
In authoritarian states, power may be held by a single party, a monarch with full control, or a military ____, with limited or no free elections and restricted freedom of speech or press.
Mastery quiz
Part 13 of 14
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Government systems around the world
3 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. What is a feature of a presidential system, such as in the USA?
2. What often characterises an authoritarian state?
3. Why is it useful to compare different government systems?
Lesson round-up
Part 14 of 14
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
Quiz score
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Luna: 0 out of 3 on the practice checks. Only if you feel up to it — one more?
Ask LunaDo the work
Your written work for this lesson
This is the part you'd do in your book at school. Pick the pieces below, write here or on paper, and photograph anything you draw or work out.
Should the town centre have a curfew for under-16s?
After a rise in reported vandalism, Harbrook council proposed that under-16s should not be in the town centre after 9 pm without an adult. Police recorded 62 incidents last year, most between 9 pm and midnight. Shopkeepers signed a petition supporting the plan.
A youth council objected. They pointed out that most young people in town at night were going home from sports clubs or work, that the plan punishes a whole group for the acts of a few, and that the library and the bus interchange are in the town centre. They asked instead for a late bus and a youth space.
The council voted to trial the curfew for six months and to publish the crime figures at the end.
Written for Good Learning Co.
Reading questions
- Give the strongest point on each side of the argument, using a fact from the case.
- Whose rights and whose responsibilities are involved here? Explain both.
- Write your own view on the curfew with reasons and one example.
Reading and response
ReadingRead the case in the lesson again and write what you think should happen, and why it is fair. Use one fact from the case as evidence.
2 paragraphs (PEE)
Extended writing
WritingWrite your answer to the lesson's big question in full: the strongest point on each side, then your own view with reasons and an example.
250–350 words
Reading log
ReadingFind one news story this week that links to this lesson. Note the headline, where you read it, and how it connects.
1 story, 4–5 sentences
Two sides of the argument
WritingWrite the strongest point for, the strongest point against, and then your own view with a reason.
3 paragraphs
Poster or leaflet plan
DiagramPlan a leaflet that explains this right or responsibility to someone your age, then photograph it.
1 planned page
Saved as you type.
Part 1 of 14 · Watch & discover
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Understand other systems and forms of government, both democratic and non-democratic, beyond the United Kingdom