World of Arkuth, Advanced Dungeons and Dragons

GOVERNMENT FORMS

GOVERNMENT FORMS

Type	Description
Autocracy	Government which rests in self derived, absolute power, typified by a hereditary emperor, for example.
Bureaucracy	Government by department, rule being through the heads of the various departments and conducted by their chief administrators.
Confederacy	Government by a league of "possibly diverse" social entities so designed as to promote the common good of each.
Constitutional Monarchy	A constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch acts as head of state within the parameters of a written, unwritten, or blended constitution. It differs from absolute monarchy in that an absolute monarch serves as the sole source of political power in the state and is not legally bound by any constitution. Such governments usually have a council of lords who can override the king’s decisions with a vote.
Democracy	Government by the people, ie. The established body of citizens, whether through direct role or through elected representatives.
Despotism	Despotism is a form of government in which a single entity, called the 'despot', rules with absolute power. That entity may be an individual, as in an autocracy, or it may be a group, as in an oligarchy.
Diarchy	Diarchy (or dyarchy), is a form of government in which two individuals, the diarchs, are the heads of state. In most diarchies, the diarchs hold their position for life and pass the responsibilities and power of the position to their children or family when they die.
Dictatorship	Government whose final authority rests in the hands of one supreme head.
Feudality	Government of a feudal nature where each successive layer of authority derives power and authority from the one above and pledges fealty likewise.
Geriatocracy	Government reserved to the elderly or very old.
Gynarchy	Government reserved to females only
Hierarchy	Government which is typically religious in nature and generally similar to feudality.
Isocracy	A government where all citizens have equal political power. Every law and decision are put to the vote. An isocracy both combines and expands features of liberal rights and those in democratic rule.
Kritarchy	Rule by the judges. Occurring in rare cases where a strong force of law has retaken a previously-fallen government, austere legal courts pass final judgment with a puppet ruler in place.
Magocracy	Government by professional magic users only.
Matriarchy	Government by the eldest females of whatever social units exist.
Militocracy	Government headed by the military leaders and the armed forces in general.
Monarchy	Government by a single sovereign, usually hereditary, whether a ruler with absolute or with power limited in some form "such as the English monarchs", limited in rule by the Magna Carta.
Ochlocracy	Rule by thief guilds, organized crime syndicates, large criminal groups etc. Usually several factions or mobs rise to power and balance each other through conflict and cooperation.
Oligarchy	Government by a few "usually absolute" rulers who are coequal
Pedocracy	Government by the learned savants and scholars.
Plutocracy	Government by the wealthy.
Republic	Government by representatives of an established electorate who rule in behalf of the electors.
Theocracy	Government by god-rule, that is, rule by the direct representative of the god.
Stratocracy	A stratocracy is a form of government headed by military chiefs; It is not the same as a military dictatorship where the military's political power is not enforced or even supported by other laws. Rather, stratocracy is a form of military government in which the state and the military are traditionally the same thing and government positions are always occupied by military leaders. The military's political power is supported by law and the society. As such a stratocracy does not have to be autocratic by nature in order to preserve its right to rule.
Syndicracy	Government by a body of syndics, each representing some business interest.

GOVERNMENT STABILITY

Type	Description
Broken	The local government is nonexistent, either through a chaotic reign in power or the leaders have been removed from power and nobody has stepped up to take control. Murders are common, thievery will be high, order shall be dismissed as a waist of time.
Corrupt	Frequent changes in government heads are common due to assassinations, bribery and political plots between certain undisclosed parties. The likelihood of the social structure coming undone is quite high, seeing this government overthrown or collapse may occur within the next few years. Such government's use martial law and intimidation to enforce their status.
Weak	A weak government usually represents internal and/or external conflicts between certain diverse groups that may include a populace that disrespects the local figureheads IE (ruling class and a military) and may attempt to resists government authority on occasion. These governments should be ready for political changes within the next few years, perhaps prolonging civil unrest up to 10 years.
Strong	This is the "happy medium" among the kingdoms. A strong government maintains a firm grip on the military, local militia's and any other lawful organizations. The general populace respect the government , even if they hate paying their taxes. This government should remain stable for up to 20 years.
Superior	This type of government is made of solid adamantite and is built upon certain law, rules and customs that have lasted for many years passing. It is very unlikely that such a government structure will face significant change inside of 30 years. These type of governments are typically powerful and have complete support of the military and the people.