Ch 15: Forms & Characteristics of Government
About This Chapter
Forms & Characteristics of Government - Chapter Summary
Use our video and text lessons to review information on various types of governments, their histories and the pros and cons of each. You'll look at several forms of democracy and explore the Congressional and Parliamentary systems of making laws. After completing this chapter, you should have knowledge of topics including:
- Analysis of various types of government
- Characteristics and history of fascism
- Types and principles of democracy
- Advantages and disadvantages of direct democracy
- Differences between Congress and Parliament
Our instructors keep these brief lessons entertaining but information-packed, with lots of examples and humor. Short lesson quizzes and chapter exams let you evaluate your learning, and the clickable Timeline makes it easy to skip back to parts of the lesson that you wish to review without re-watching the entire video.

1. Forms of Government: Monarchy, Democracy, Oligarchy & More
The governance of nations differs significantly based on who has power. This lesson will differentiate five forms of government: monarchy, democracy, oligarchy, authoritarianism, and totalitarianism.

2. Fascism: Characteristics, History & Rise
In this lesson, we explore the characteristics of the form of government known as fascism, including briefly examining history's best example of fascism: Hitler's Germany.

3. What is Democracy? - Definition, Types & Principles
In this lesson, we will study the nature of democracy. We will define the term, take a look at the types of democracy, and examine its basic principles.

4. What is Direct Democracy? - Definition, Examples, Pros & Cons
Direct democracy is a form of government in which all laws are created by a general vote of society. We'll consider some examples of direct democracy and look at some pros and cons of this type of democracy.

5. Congress vs. Parliament: Main Differences
In this lesson, we will review the major differences between Congress and Parliament. We will take a closer look at why these differences exist and how they affect decision-making in those particular democratic countries.
Earning College Credit
Did you know… We have over 200 college courses that prepare you to earn credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. You can test out of the first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. Anyone can earn credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level.
To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page
Transferring credit to the school of your choice
Not sure what college you want to attend yet? Study.com has thousands of articles about every imaginable degree, area of study and career path that can help you find the school that's right for you.
Other Chapters
Other chapters within the Ohio Assessments for Educators - Elementary Education (018/019): Practice & Study Guide course
- Language Development & Emergent Literacy
- Teaching Phonics, Word Analysis, Spelling & Fluency
- Reading Comprehension & Vocabulary Skills
- Understanding Literary Texts
- Structure & Literary Devices in Prose
- Informational, Expository & Technical Texts
- Understanding & Teaching Persuasive Texts
- Graphic Communication
- Processes & Modes of Written Communication
- Reference Materials & Proofreading in Writing
- Conventions of Standard American English
- Processes & Conventions of Verbal Communication
- Effective Writing & Speaking
- Basic Concepts of Government & Economics
- International Relationships & Foreign Policy
- Principles of U.S. Citizenship
- Functions of Economic Systems & Free Markets
- Characteristics of Ancient Civilizations
- Global Effects of Exploration, Trade & Revolution
- Major U.S. & World Conflicts
- Modern World History
- Historical Analysis of Fact vs. Opinion
- Geography, Physical Sciences & Cultural Anthropology
- Reading & Understanding Maps
- Social Science Research & Experimentation
- Scientific Method, Inquiry & Data Analysis
- Life & Zoological Sciences
- Plants, Biomes & Genetics
- Physical, Earth & Space Sciences
- Components of the Solar System & Universe
- Weather, Climate & Geologic Systems
- Numeration, Number Sense, & Mathematical Operations
- Mixed Numbers & Fractions
- Arithmetic & Estimation Using Decimals
- Rounding & Estimating Numbers
- Place Values, Ordering Fractions & Decimals
- Prime Numbers, Composite Numbers & Divisibility Rules
- The Least Common Multiple & Greatest Common Factor
- Ratios, Proportion, Exponents & Scientific Notation
- Mathematical Reasoning for Solving Word Problems
- Tools for Representing Mathematical Concepts
- Calculating & Interpreting Statistical Data
- Algebraic Patterns, Equations & Functions
- Properties of Geometric Shapes
- Converting & Graphing Units of Measurement
- Area, Perimeter & Volume of Geometric Shapes
- Health, Fitness & Nutrition
- Music, Drama, Theater & the Arts
- Ohio Assessments for Educators Elementary Education Flashcards