the group of people with the authority to govern a country; in the UK, the Government is chosen and led by the Prime Minister (PM)

a system of government where leaders have complete control and people are expected to obey without question, often limiting individual freedoms

How does government work in a non-democratic nation?

Citizenship

Pupils compare different types of government from the UK to US and North Korea.

How do others govern?

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Match the country to its political system.

Rank the order of categories in the Democracy Index, from the most democratic to least democratic.

an independent judiciary that can challenge the Government

government control over media and information

restrictions on gathering in public to protest

Which of these features might **not** be seen in a non-democratic government?

Absolute monarchies are often {{}}, meaning that power is maintained within one family over time.

Only one group controls the Government, restricting political choice.

Citizens have the freedom to form and join any political party they wish.

The ruling party frequently changes based on public elections.

Coalitions are banned from running the country, so citizens' votes are wasted.

by using propaganda to influence the views of its citizens

by decentralising power to local governments

by encouraging free and open public debates

by enforcing free speech for all citizens

How might a non-democratic country maintain political control?

the number of political parties in a country

the quality of democracy in countries around the world

What is the Democracy Index used to measure?

In non-democratic regimes, political freedoms are often ...

the effectiveness of the political system in creating new laws and policies

the level of political participation by citizens

Which aspect of a country's democracy does the Democracy Index measure under the category of 'functioning of government'?

a high level of political participation and a free press

a political system that regularly shuts down protests and suppresses free speech

a country with a fair electoral process but weak political institutions

a strong separation of powers and an active judiciary

In the Democracy Index, which of the following situations would most likely indicate a ‘flawed democracy’?

Match each country to its corresponding Democracy Index category.

How would you expect the Democracy Index to classify a country with a high level of political participation and a fair electoral process?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

How does government work in a non-democratic nation?

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.