List of countries by system of government
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This is a list of countries categorized by system of government.
Contents
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[edit] Alphabetical list of countries
Name | Constitutional form | Head of state | Basis of executive legitimacy |
---|---|---|---|
Afghanistan | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Albania | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Algeria | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Andorra | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Angola | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Antigua and Barbuda | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Argentina | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Armenia | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
Australia | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Austria | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Azerbaijan | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Bahamas | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Bahrain | Constitutional monarchy | Executive | Monarch personally exercises power in concert with other institutions |
Bangladesh | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Barbados | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Belarus | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Belgium | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Belize | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Benin | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Bhutan | Constitutional monarchy | Executive | Monarch personally exercises power in concert with other institutions |
Bolivia | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
Botswana | Republic | Executive | Presidency and ministry are subject to parliamentary confidence |
Brazil | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Brunei | Absolute monarchy | Executive | All authority vested in absolute monarch |
Bulgaria | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Burkina Faso | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Burundi | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Cambodia | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Cameroon | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Canada | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Cape Verde | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
Central African Republic | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Chad | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Chile | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
China, People's Republic of | Republic | Executive | Power constitutionally linked to a single political movement |
China, Republic of | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
Colombia | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Comoros | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Congo, Democratic Republic of the | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
Congo, Republic of the | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Costa Rica | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Côte d'Ivoire | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Croatia | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Cuba | Republic | Executive | Power constitutionally linked to a single political movement |
Cyprus | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Czech Republic | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Denmark | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Djibouti | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
Dominica | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Dominican Republic | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
East Timor | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Ecuador | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Egypt | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
El Salvador | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Equatorial Guinea | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Eritrea | Republic | Executive | Power constitutionally linked to a single political movement |
Estonia | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Ethiopia | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Fiji | n/a | n/a | n/a No constitutionally-defined basis to current regime |
Finland | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
France | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
Gabon | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Gambia | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Georgia | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Germany | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Ghana | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Greece | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Grenada | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Guatemala | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Guinea | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Guinea-Bissau | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
Guyana | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
Haiti | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Honduras | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Hungary | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Iceland | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
India | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Indonesia | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Iran | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Iraq | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Ireland | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Israel | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Italy | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Jamaica | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Japan | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Jordan | Constitutional monarchy | Executive | Monarch personally exercises power in concert with other institutions |
Kazakhstan | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Kenya | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Kiribati | Republic | Executive | Presidency and ministry are subject to parliamentary confidence |
Korea, North | Republic | Executive | Power constitutionally linked to a single political movement |
Korea, South | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
Kosovo | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Kuwait | Constitutional monarchy | Executive | Monarch personally exercises power in concert with other institutions |
Kyrgyzstan | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Laos | Republic | Executive | Power constitutionally linked to a single political movement |
Latvia | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Lebanon | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
Lesotho | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Liberia | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Libya | Republic | Executive | Power constitutionally linked to a single political movement |
Liechtenstein | Constitutional monarchy | Executive | Monarch personally exercises power in concert with other institutions |
Lithuania | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Luxembourg | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Macedonia | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Madagascar | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
Malawi | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Malaysia | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Maldives | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Mali | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Malta | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Marshall Islands | Republic | Executive | Presidency and ministry are subject to parliamentary confidence |
Mauritania | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
Mauritius | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Mexico | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Micronesia | Republic | Executive | Presidency and ministry are subject to parliamentary confidence |
Moldova | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
Monaco | Constitutional monarchy | Executive | Monarch personally exercises power in concert with other institutions |
Mongolia | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
Montenegro | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Morocco | Constitutional monarchy | Executive | Monarch personally exercises power in concert with other institutions |
Mozambique | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Myanmar | n/a | n/a | n/a No constitutionally-defined basis to current regime |
Namibia | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Nauru | Republic | Executive | Presidency and ministry are subject to parliamentary confidence |
Nepal | Republic | Executive | Presidency and ministry are subject to parliamentary confidence |
Netherlands | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
New Zealand | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Nicaragua | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Niger | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
Nigeria | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Norway | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Oman | Absolute monarchy | Executive | All authority vested in absolute monarch |
Pakistan | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
Palau | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Panama | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Papua New Guinea | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Paraguay | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Peru | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Philippines | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Poland | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Portugal | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Qatar | Absolute monarchy | Executive | All authority vested in absolute monarch |
Romania | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
Russia | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
Rwanda | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
Saint Kitts and Nevis | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Saint Lucia | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Samoa | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
San Marino | Republic | Executive | Presidency and ministry are subject to parliamentary confidence |
São Tomé and Príncipe | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
Saudi Arabia | Absolute monarchy | Executive | All authority vested in absolute monarch |
Senegal | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
Serbia | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
Seychelles | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Sierra Leone | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Singapore | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Slovakia | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Slovenia | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Solomon Islands | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Somalia | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
South Africa | Republic | Executive | Presidency and ministry are subject to parliamentary confidence |
Spain | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Sri Lanka | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
Sudan | Republic | Executive | Power constitutionally linked to a single political movement |
Suriname | Republic | Executive | Presidency and ministry are subject to parliamentary confidence |
Swaziland | Absolute monarchy | Executive | All authority vested in absolute monarch |
Sweden | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Switzerland | Republic | Executive | Presidency and ministry are subject to parliamentary confidence |
Syria | Republic | Executive | Power constitutionally linked to a single political movement |
Tajikistan | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Tanzania | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Thailand | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Togo | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Tonga | Constitutional monarchy | Executive | Monarch personally exercises power in concert with other institutions |
Trinidad and Tobago | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Tunisia | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Turkey | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Turkmenistan | Republic | Executive | Power constitutionally linked to a single political movement |
Tuvalu | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Uganda | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Ukraine | Republic | Executive | Presidency independent of legislature; ministry subject to parliamentary confidence |
United Arab Emirates | Constitutional monarchy | Executive | Monarch personally exercises power in concert with other institutions |
United Kingdom | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
United States | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Uruguay | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Uzbekistan | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Vanuatu | Republic | Ceremonial | Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence |
Vatican City | Absolute monarchy | Executive | All authority vested in absolute monarch |
Venezuela | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Vietnam | Republic | Executive | Power constitutionally linked to a single political movement |
Yemen | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Zambia | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Zimbabwe | Republic | Executive | Presidency is independent of legislature |
Notes on color-code
- orange - parliamentary republics
- green - presidential republics, executive presidency linked to a parliament
- yellow - presidential republics, semi-presidential system
- blue - presidential republics, full presidential system
- red - parliamentary constitutional monarchies in which the monarch does not personally exercise power
- magenta - constitutional monarchies in which the monarch personally exercises power, often (but not always) alongside a weak parliament
- purple - absolute monarchies
- brown - republics where the dominant role of a single party is codified in the constitution
- beige - states where constitutional provisions for government have been suspended
- grey - countries which do not fit any of the above systems
Note that several states constitutionally deemed to be multiparty republics are broadly described by outsiders as authoritarian states. This chart aims to represent de jure form of government, not de facto degree of democracy. Those more interested in a version reflecting such judgements may be interested in seeing the map below from Freedom House.
[edit] Systems of Governance
[edit] Presidential / Separated republics
These are systems in which a president is the active head of the executive branch of government and is elected and remains in office independently of the legislature. The following list includes democratic and non-democratic states:
[edit] Full presidential systems
In full presidential systems, the president is both head of state and head of government. There is generally no prime minister, although if one exists he or she serves purely at the pleasure of the president.
[edit] Semi-presidential systems
In semi-presidential systems, there is usually both a president and a prime minister. In such systems, the President has genuine executive authority, unlike in a parliamentary republic, but some of the role of a head of government is exercised by the prime minister, who is also leader of the legislature.
[edit] Parliamentary republics
A parliamentary republic is a system in which a prime minister is the active head of the executive branch of government and also leader of the legislature. The president's degree of executive power may range from being reasonably significant (eg. Poland) to little or none at all (eg. Ireland). Where the president holds little executive power, their function is primarily that of a symbolic figurehead.
[edit] Mixed republican systems
Prime minister is also head of state and given title of president
[edit] Constitutional monarchies
These are systems in which the head of state is a constitutional monarch; the existence of their office and their ability to exercise their authority is established and constrained by constitutional law.
[edit] Constitutional monarchies with ceremonial monarchs
Systems in which a prime minister is the active head of the executive branch of government and also leader of the legislature. The head of state is a constitutional monarch who only exercises his or her powers with the consent of the government, the people or their representatives.
[edit] Constitutional monarchies with active monarchs
The prime minister (or equivalent) is the nation's active executive, but the monarch still has considerable political powers that can be used at his/her own independent discretion.
[edit] Absolute monarchies
Monarchies in which the monarch's exercise of power is unconstrained by any constitutional law.
[edit] Theocracies
States based on a state religion where the head of state is selected by some form of religious hierarchy.
- Iran [1] (to some degree)
- the Holy See (Vatican City)
[edit] One-party states
States in which political power is concentrated within a single political party whose operations are largely fused with the government hierarchy. However, some do have elected governments.
[edit] Military junta states
The nation's military control the organs of government and all high-ranking political executives are also members of the military hierarchy.
[edit] Transitional
States which have a system of government which is in transition or turmoil and cannot be accurately classified. (with current direction of change)
[edit] Systems of Internal Governance
[edit] Federal
States in which the federal government shares power with semi-independent regional governments. In many cases, the central government is (in theory) a creation of the regional governments; a prime example is the United States.
[edit] Devolved
States in which the central government has delegated some of its powers to self-governing subsidiary governments, creating a quasi-federation.
- Spain (17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities)
- United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)
[edit] Regionalized unitary
States in which the central government has delegated some of its powers to regional governments.
- People's Republic of China (22 provinces, 5 autonomous regions, 4 municipalities, and 2 special administrative regions)
- Italy (20 regions, 5 granted 'autonomous' status)
- New Zealand (16 regions)
- Philippines (17 regions, 1 autonomous region)
[edit] Federacy
A federacy is a country in which some substates function like states in a federation and others like states in a unitary state.
- Denmark with 2 autonomous regions and 5 regions;
- Finland with 1 autonomous province and 19 regions;
- France with 1 sui generis collectivity and 26 régions, 4 collectivités d'outre-mer, 1 territoire d'outre-mer;
- Kingdom of the Netherlands with 2 states and 12 provinces;
- Portugal with 2 autonomous regions (Azores and Madeira) and 18 districts;
- Serbia, significant autonomy granted to Vojvodina;
- Tanzania, 21 mainland regions, 5 regions under autonomous government of Zanzibar
- Ukraine, 24 oblasts, 2 special-status cities, and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea;
[edit] Unitary
see Unitary state
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b Iran combines the forms of a presidential republic, with a president elected by universal suffrage; and a theocracy, with a Supreme Leader who is ultimately responsible for state policy, chosen by the elected Assembly of Experts. Candidates for both the Assembly of Experts and the presidency are vetted by the appointed Guardian Council.
- ^ While the office of Prime Minister exists, the President is both the Head of State and Head of Government.
- ^ While the office of Prime Minister exists, the President is both the Head of State and Head of Government.
- ^ Collective (3 member) presidency.
- ^ While the office of Prime Minister exists, the President is both the Head of State and Head of Government.
- ^ While the office of Prime Minister exists, the President is both the Head of State and Head of Government.
- ^ The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) is a government in exile, located in Tindouf, Algeria. Most of the territory of Western Sahara is under military occupation by Morocco; the rest is administered by the SADR.
- ^ In Bangladesh, a caretaker government takes over for three months during parliamentary elections. The Caretaker government is headed by a Chief Advisor (the last Chief Justice to retire), and a group of neutral, non-partisan advisors chosen from the civil society. During this time, the president has jurisdiction over the Ministry of defense and the Ministry of foreign affairs.
- ^ Combines aspects of an executive presidency with a parliamentary system. President is elected by parliament and holds a parliamentary seat, much like a prime minister. The President is both head of state and government.
- ^ Combines aspects of an executive presidency with a parliamentary system. President is elected by parliament and holds a parliamentary seat, much like a prime minister. The President is both head of state and government.
- ^ There is neither a prime minister nor a president of Switzerland. The President of the Swiss Confederation is merely primus inter pares in the Swiss Federal Council, the seven-member executive council which constitutes the government as well as the head of state of Switzerland.
- ^ Collective presidency (two captains-regents). Captains-regents are both Head of State and Government simultaneously.
- ^ Bishop of Urgell and President of France serve as ex-officio co-princes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p One of 16 Commonwealth realms, constitutional monarchies in which Queen Elizabeth II serves as head of state over an independent government. In each Realm, she acts as the monarch of that state, and is usually titled accordingly - for example, Queen of Australia. The Queen appoints a Governor-General to each country other than the United Kingdom to act as her representative. The prime minister is the active head of the executive branch of government and also leader of the legislature.
- ^ The UAE's constitution establishes the state as a federation of emirates, with the federal president drawn from hereditary emirs, but each emirate in turn functions as an absolute monarchy
- ^ The President of Fiji is the actual leader who on 4 December 2006 dissolved the parliament without the prime minister's consent, thereby setting the stage for a coup by the military commander.
[edit] See also
- List of forms of government
- List of countries by date of transition to republican system of government
[edit] External links
- Global Scan- Election Tracker
- Countries categorized by system of government in 20th century at Historical Atlas of 20th Century
- [1] A Chronology of political history based on Government form
- Political Chronology Chronological development of political history