New
New
Year 11

How do different countries govern themselves?

I can describe some different forms of government worldwide and investigate which are most effective.

New
New
Year 11

How do different countries govern themselves?

I can describe some different forms of government worldwide and investigate which are most effective.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Democracies have many key features such as free and fair elections and a pluralistic system.
  2. There are different types of democracy such as representative and direct.
  3. Authoritarianism concentrates power in a leader or small elite, making decisions without considering the people's will.
  4. When evaluating a government system, we can consider criteria like rights protection and fairness for all.

Keywords

  • Democracy - a system of government in which citizens vote in regular, fair elections for representatives who then make laws and decisions on their behalf

  • Authoritarin regime - a system of government where leaders have complete control; people are expected to obey, often limiting individual freedoms

Common misconception

Democracies are always more efficient and quicker at making decisions than dictatorships.

While democracies can be slower in making decisions due to debates, elections, and checks on power, this doesn't mean they are less effective overall. Decisions involving multiple viewpoints can lead to more thoughtful and balanced outcomes.


To help you plan your year 11 citizenship lesson on: How do different countries govern themselves?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage pupils to think critically about real-world examples of democracies and authoritarian regimes. Use current events or history to help them understand how these systems work in practice, making the concepts more relatable and enhancing their understanding of government systems.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
The UK Government is the branch of the country, which means it is responsible for running the day-to-day affairs of the country.
Correct answer: executive
judiciary
legislative
monarchical
Q2.
Which of these is not a role of the Government in the UK?
proposing legislation
proposing budgets
running the country
representing the UK international matters
Correct answer: managing national charities
Q3.
How often must a general election be held in the UK? At least every {{} years.
Correct Answer: five, 5
Q4.
Match the description with the correct number.
Correct Answer:18,how old you have to be to vote in a general election

how old you have to be to vote in a general election

Correct Answer:650,the number of consituencies in the UK

the number of consituencies in the UK

Correct Answer:1,the number of areas a citizen can vote in at a general election

the number of areas a citizen can vote in at a general election

Correct Answer:70,000,the average number of eligible voters in a constituency

the average number of eligible voters in a constituency

Q5.
What voting system do we use in the UK for general elections?
Correct answer: First-Past-The-Post
Alternative Vote
Supplementary Vote
Single Transferable Vote
Q6.
In the UK, the is the main decision-making body in government, responsible for setting policies, managing public services and responding to national issues.
Correct Answer: Cabinet

5 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following is not a feature of democracies?
free and fair elections
Correct answer: concentration of power
rights protection
a pluralistic system
Q2.
Free and fair elections ensure that voters can make choices without bias or __________.
Correct answer: corruption
freedom
protection
Q3.
Which is not an indicator of authoritarianism?
limited freedoms and civil rights
Correct answer: free and fair electoral process
censorship and propaganda
unchecked use of force or fear
Q4.
Match the word to the correct definition.
Correct Answer:democracy,a system of government where citizens vote in regular, fair elections

a system of government where citizens vote in regular, fair elections

Correct Answer:authoritarian regime,a system of government in which leaders have complete control

a system of government in which leaders have complete control

Correct Answer:pluralistic system,a system that allows diverse groups and opinions to coexist

a system that allows diverse groups and opinions to coexist

Q5.
Which is not a measurement for a successful government?
economic growth
political stability
Correct answer: unfair policies