Forms of Government

[Ryghamoc]

I had been bored so I thought I'd ask the ultimate question all you bloodthirsty pathfinder warlords are fantasizing about.

How would you rule a country? Or for that matter the world if possible?

If you have no ideas I have examples conveniently listed here:

Ideas of Government:

Someone said wrote:

Forms of Government:

"Adhocracy - government based on type of organization that operates in opposite fashion to a bureaucracy.

Authoritarian – Authoritarian governments are characterized by an emphasis on the authority of the state in a republic or union. It is a political system controlled by unelected rulers who usually permit some degree of individual freedom.

Anarchism - Sometimes said to be non-governance; it is a structure which strives for non-hierarchical voluntary associations among agents.

Band Society - government based on small (usually family) unit with a semi-informal hierarchy, with strongest (either physical strength or strength of character) as leader. Very much like a pack seen in other animals, such as wolves.

Chiefdom (Tribal) - government based on small complex society of varying degrees of centralization that is led by an individual known as a chief.

Constitutional monarchy – A government that has a monarch, but one whose powers are limited by law or by a formal constitution, such as the United Kingdom.

Constitutional republic – A government whose powers are limited by law or a formal constitution, and chosen by a vote amongst at least some sections of the populace (Ancient Sparta was in its own terms a republic, though most inhabitants were disenfranchised. The United States is a republic, but the large numbers of African Americans and women did not have the vote early on). Republics which exclude sections of the populace from participation will typically claim to represent all citizens (by defining people without the vote as "non-citizens").

Democracy – Rule by a government chosen by election where most of the populace are enfranchised. The key distinction between a democracy and other forms of constitutional government is usually taken to be that the right to vote is not limited by a person's wealth or race (the main qualification for enfranchisement is usually having reached a certain age). A Democratic government is, therefore, one supported (at least at the time of the election) by a majority of the populace (provided the election was held fairly). A "majority" may be defined in different ways. There are many "power-sharing" (usually in countries where people mainly identify themselves by race or religion) or "electoral-college" or "constituency" systems where the government is not chosen by a simple one-vote-per-person headcount.

Dictatorship – Rule by an individual who has full power over the country. The term may refer to a system where the dictator came to power, and holds it, purely by force - but it also includes systems where the dictator first came to power legitimately but then was able to amend the constitution so as to, in effect, gather all power for themselves. See also Autocracy and Stratocracy.

Emirate - similar to a monarchy or sultanate, but a government in which the supreme power is in the hands of an emir (the ruler of a Muslim state); the emir may be an absolute overlord or a sovereign with constitutionally limited authority.

Geniocracy - government ruled by creativity, innovation, intelligence and wisdom.

Kratocracy - government ruled by those strong enough to seize power through physical force or political cunning.

Kritocracy - government ruled by judges.

Meritocracy - Rule by a group selected on the basis of their ability.

Monarchy – Rule by an individual who has inherited the role and expects to bequeath it to their heir.

Nomocracy - Rule according to higher law. That is, a government under the sovereignty of rational laws and civic right as opposed to one under theocratic systems of government. In a nomocracy, ultimate and final authority (sovereignty) exists in the law.

Oligarchy – Rule by a small group of people who share similar interests or family relations.

Plutocracy – A government composed of the wealthy class. Any of the forms of government listed here can be plutocracy. For instance, if all of the voted representatives in a republic are wealthy, then it is a republic and a plutocracy.

Republic - is a form of government in which the people, or some significant portion of them, have supreme control over the government and where offices of state are elected or chosen by elected people. In modern times, a common simplified definition of a republic is a government where the head of state is not a monarch. Montesquieu included both democracies, where all the people have a share in rule, and aristocracies or oligarchies, where only some of the people rule, as republican forms of government.

Stratocracy - form of military government in which the state and the military are traditionally the same thing. (Not to be confused with "militarism" or "military dictatorship".)

Technocracy - government ruled by doctors, engineers, scientists, professionals and other technical experts.

Theocracy – Rule by a religious elite.

Timocracy - government ruled by honorable citizens and property owners.

Totalitarian – Totalitarian governments regulate nearly every aspect of public and private life."

Mine, personally, would be ruled by a specific number of "families." These families specialize in a trade or skill (Such as finances, war, diplomatic relations, etc.) and tackle problems based around the needs of it's citizens. The families usually come up with a plan of action and present their plan to the citizens who vote on the outcome. The biggest problem(s) of society, which is decided upon by a council of judges, is then enacted by the current ruling family. All acts are overseen by the aforementioned judges who are meant to not only seek out corruption in the ranks of the families but also to ensure "equality" in power.

A bit complex but I would love to see how it works out. :P

[Forencith]

Constitutional Adhocracy.

[Fire Bud]

As a Thief...

Kratocracy.

[Gwenn Reece]

Necrocracy - Lich and undead based government.

[Onishi]

Gregg Reece wrote:

Necrocracy - Lich and undead based government.

Actually that is still a normal kingdom I believe, in that the lich himself holds all of the votes. Well unless the other undead are sentient and then the lich wants to organize some other form of government where others get their say. A new word doesn't need to be invented simply because the inhabitants do not happen to have a pulse. That's racist!

Is a town of only elves called called an elfocracy?

Is several settlements under the rule of a halfling called "a halflingdom"

Actually I believe in the real world Christopher Hitchens used the term Necrocacy to refer to a country that continues to follow to the letter the rule of it's first dictator, long after his death.

[Ryghamoc]

Hmmmmm... Perhaps a Darwinian form of Government?

I can only speculate the above being a racial or "speciest" supremacist group.

Not a real word but politically correct in terms of biology.

[Xeriar]

Onishi wrote:

Gregg Reece wrote:

Necrocracy - Lich and undead based government.

Actually that is still a normal kingdom I believe, in that the lich himself holds all of the votes. Well unless the other undead are sentient and then the lich wants to organize some other form of government where others get their say. A new word doesn't need to be invented simply because the inhabitants do not happen to have a pulse. That's racist!

Is a town of only elves called called an elfocracy?

Is several settlements under the rule of a halfling called "a halflingdom"

Actually I believe in the real world Christopher Hitchens used the term Necrocacy to refer to a country that continues to follow to the letter the rule of it's first dictator, long after his death.

Undeath is a state of being. The issue of undead rights transcends the boundaries of race, gender, species and gender identity.

Anem Vora will be a proud supporter of necromantic rites.

[Mbando]

For about 3k or so years the global electorate has been experimenting with different forms of governance--democracy has won that competition fairly handily, so I'm down with it.

[Forencith]

Or you could think about it from the other direction...for about 3k or so years those in power have been experimenting with different forms of control-democracy has won that competition fairly handedly...I am sure those in power prefer we use your interpretation.

[Blaeringr]

Easy question: with fear.

[Forencith]

Blaeringr wrote:

Easy question: with fear.

I prefer the illusion of happiness. Makes them much more docile...even mice fight back against cats when scared stupid. Give 'em enough dopamine and they will happily watch as you do whatever you want...

[DeciusBrutus]

With carrot and with stick, whatever those may be for the time.

[Nihimon]

Mbando wrote:

For about 3k or so years the global electorate has been experimenting with different forms of governance--democracy has won that competition fairly handily, so I'm down with it.

Actually, I thought it was fairly well established that a Constitutional Republic was the way to go. Limited government, personal liberty, strong property rights...

A true Democracy where 50.0000001% of the voters can do whatever they want scares the hell out of me.

Forencith wrote:

I prefer the illusion of happiness.

They'l turn us all into beggars 'cause they're easier to please;

But I ain't gonna eat no government cheese.

[Chronocypher]

Nihimon wrote:

Mbando wrote:

For about 3k or so years the global electorate has been experimenting with different forms of governance--democracy has won that competition fairly handily, so I'm down with it.

Actually, I thought it was fairly well established that a Constitutional Republic was the way to go. Limited government, personal liberty, strong property rights...

A true Democracy where 50.0000001% of the voters can do whatever they want scares the hell out of me.

Forencith wrote:

I prefer the illusion of happiness.

They'l turn us all into beggars 'cause they're easier to please;

But I ain't gonna eat no government cheese.

I like you.

[Nihimon]

Chronocypher wrote:

I like you.

Thanks! That's nice to hear.

More often, I only hear about it when I annoy someone :)

[Forencith]

For the record, I don't actually prefer advocating a system of dopamine injecting...I was adding to Blaeringr's evil solution. Changing fear into pleasure...

I am still going with Constitutional Adhocracy.