The following types of government are categorized according to the answer to the question, “who rules?”

Aristocracy: A form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the principal persons of a state, or in a privileged order; an oligarchy

Autocracy: Government by a single person having unlimited power; despotism (domination through threat of punishment and violence)

Bureaucracy: Administration of a government chiefly through bureaus or departments staffed with non-elected officials

Democracy: Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives

Gynecocracy: Government by women

Kakistocracy: Government by the least qualified or most unprincipled citizens.

Kleptocracy: A government characterized by rampant greed and corruption

Meritocracy: A group of leaders or officeholders selected on the basis of individual ability or achievement

Monarchy: a government in which power is vested in a king, queen, emperor or empress who can pass power on to his heirs.

Monocracy: Government or rule by a single person; autocracy

Oligarchy: A government in which a few people such as a dominant clan or clique have power

Plantocracy: A ruling class formed of plantation owners, leadership or government by this class of people

Plutocracy: A government or state in which the wealthy rule.

Stratocracy: Government by the armed forces

Technocracy: A government or social system controlled by technicians, especially scientists and technical experts

Theocracy: A government ruled by or subject to religious authority