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
- 17 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 17
Visual introductionPicture this
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.
In a nutshell
Understand other systems and forms of government, both democratic and non-democratic, beyond the United Kingdom
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 17
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 17
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.
Reset break
Part 4 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 4 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.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 17
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 6 of 17
Quick check
Part 7 of 17
Reset break
Part 8 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 4 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.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 17
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 10 of 17
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 11 of 17
Reset break
Part 12 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 4 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.
Challenge round
Part 13 of 17
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 14 of 17
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.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 17
Game · Recall cards
What is a feature of a presidential system, such as in the USA?
Card 1 of 3
Mastery quiz
Part 16 of 17
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 17 of 17
Lesson round-up
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Understand other systems and forms of government, both democratic and non-democratic, beyond the United Kingdom