How Do Other Countries Pick Their Leaders?
How Do Other Countries Pick Their Leaders?
Around the world, there are a number of different types of governments, and many different ways in which countries pick (or do not pick) their leaders. This graphic helps to explain the various systems of government, and sheds light on some of the world’s most notorious and/or longest-ruling national leaders.
Democratic Republics
Country is governed by an elected head of state and legislature.
Examples of Democratic Republics include the United States, South America, much of Europe and Africa.
Democratic Constitutional Monarchies
Country is governed by an elected legislature and prime minister, with a monarch as a symbolic head of state.
Examples of Democratic Constitutional Monarchies include Canada, the UK, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand.
Absolute Monarchies
Country is governed solely by an absolute monarch along with other members of his family.
Examples of Absolute Monarchies include the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Authoritarian Republics
Country is governed by a dictatorial leader or single-party hierarchy that does not allow for effective popular opposition.
Examples of Authoritarian Republics include Iran, Egypt, Rwanda, Pakistan and Singapore.
Military Governments
Country is governed by the military which has seized control of the nation’s political institutions.
Examples of Military Governments include the Central African Republic, Myanmar (Burma), and Sudan.
Communist States
Country is governed by a communist party hierarchy that has banned all opposition. These governments also fit under the category of authoritarian republics.
Examples of Communist States include the People’s Republic of China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Laos and Vietnam.
Transitional Governments
Country is governed by a recently established caretaker administration, and thus cannot be accurately identified as a specific system of government.
Examples of countries in a transitional governmental phase include Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Longest Serving Leaders Since the Turn of the 20th Century
The top five longest-serving leaders in this century are:
#1 – King Bhumibol Adulyadej from Thailand has been serving since 1946. That’s 64 years!
#2 – Queen Elizabeth II has been reigning over the United Kingdom for the past 58 years.
#3 – President Fidel Castro ended his 51 year reign over Cuba in 2008.
#4 – Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei started his term 43 years ago in 1967.
#5 – President Omar Albert-Bernard Bongo of Gabon had presided over Gabon for 42 years until his death in 2009.
