Page 125 - DK Children's Encyclopedia

Governments SEE ALSO

▸ ▸ Law p.145
▸ ▸ Medicine p.160
A government is an official group of people that runs a ▸ ▸ Trade p.257
country. Governments keep their people safe through ▸ ▸ School
rules called laws. They often try to keep the peace with pp.272–273

other countries, and can help provide services such as ▸ ▸ Work p.274
schools and hospitals. Most governments try to help ▸ ▸ World p.275
people lead better lives.

Head of state
One person is in charge of
How a government works each country, such as a
Each country has its own system of government president or queen. They
represent it when meeting
that looks after its people. Large countries have with other countries.
different levels of government, while smaller
countries have simpler systems. National government
The national government looks after
the whole country. It makes laws and
has people in charge of different
areas, such as education.
Local governments
Local governments run
smaller areas within Electorate
countries. They look after People in many countries
local issues, such as roads choose their governments
and libraries. by voting in elections.
They are the electorate.

Types of government
Most countries in the world are democracies. Constitutions
They elect (choose) who is in government. A constitution is a written document
Other countries have heads of state that sets out the aims and values
who aren’t chosen. of a country and how it should be
ruled. The US constitution was
written in 1787.

Democracy Monarchy Dictatorship
In a democracy, people vote A monarchy is a family Dictators often rule by force.
for a government and a head system in which the job of They use an army to make
of state to rule them and take the head of state is passed people do what they say.
decisions for them. from the king or queen to
their child or relative.

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