List of countries by form of government (Differently)

Differently government map — World map of countries by form of government

The 143 sovereign states in the world can be divided into seven forms of government:

Presidential republic

Parliamentary republic

Proper parliamentary monarchy

Commonwealth parliamentary monarchy

Semi-presidential republic

Absolute monarchy

One-party state

Democratic systems[]

In democratic systems, there is a legislature composed of politicians periodically chosen through elections. Executive politicians may or may not also be elected.

Presidential republics[]

The head of state and head of government is the same person (called a president) and is chosen democratically, most often through direct elections completely separate form the legislature. The duration of terms is more regular.

40 (or 27.9%) of the world's countries are presidential republics.

Parliamentary republics[]

The head of government (commonly called prime minister or premier) is a different person from the head of state (the president), who is elected democratically. The executive derives its power from the legislature, and the head of government is normally an influential member of the legislature. The duration of terms can be highly irregular.

16 (or 11.1%) of the world's countries are parliamentary republics.

Parliamentary monarchies[]

Same as the parliamentary republic, with the difference that the head of state is not an elected president, but a (normally hereditary) monarch with constitutionally limited powers, which in some cases are completely ceremonial. Also called "constitutional monarchy".

Not counting Westminster systems, 52 (or 36.3%) of the world's countries are parliamentary monarchies, making it the most common form of government.

Commonwealth monarchies[]

The type of parliamentary monarchy practiced by the Commonwealth realms, also called Westminster system, in which the head of state is the monarch of the United Kingdom (currently King Richard V) or its representative and the prime minister is the leader of the majority party in congress.

10 (or 6.9%) of the world's countries are Commonwealth monarchies.

Semi-presidential republics[]

A combination of presidential and parliamentary republics. Like the parliamentary republic, there is a premier/prime-minister and a president, but the latter's powers are greater.

10 (or 6.9%) of the world's countries are semi-presidential republics.

Authoritarian systems[]

In authoritarian systems, also called dictatorships, either there are no elections at all or the elections fulfill a more ceremonial role, having no actual effect in the country's leadership.

Absolute monarchies[]

The monarch (normally hereditary) has absolute powers and is both the head of government and head of state. Councils, parliaments or other power positions may exist, but the monarch always has the last word.

7 (or 4.8%) of the world's countries are absolute monarchies, making it the least common form of government.

One-party states[]

A single party dominates the government, with other parties either not existing or having little to no power. Some one-party states may describe themselves as "republics" or even "democratic republics", but this usage is largely inaccurate.

8 (or 5.5%) of the world's countries are one-party states.