Part 488

This entry gives the basic form of government. Definitions of the major governmental terms are as follows. (Note that for some countries more than one definition applies.): Absolute monarchy - a form of government where the monarch rules unhindered, i.e., without any laws, constitution, or legally organized opposition. Anarchy - a condition of lawlessness or political disorder brought about by the absence of governmental authority. Authoritarian - a form of government in which state authority is imposed onto many aspects of citizens' lives. Commonwealth - a nation, state, or other political entity founded on law and united by a compact of the people for the common good. Communist - a system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single - often authoritarian - party holds power; state controls are imposed with the elimination of private ownership of property or capital while claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people (i.e., a classless society). Confederacy (Confederation) - a union by compact or treaty between states, provinces, or territories, that creates a central government with limited powers; the constituent entities retain supreme authority over all matters except those delegated to the central government. Constitutional - a government by or operating under an authoritative document (constitution) that sets forth the system of fundamental laws and principles that determines the nature, functions, and limits of that government. Constitutional democracy - a form of government in which the sovereign power of the people is spelled out in a governing constitution. Constitutional monarchy - a system of government in which a monarch is guided by a constitution whereby his/her rights, duties, and responsibilities are spelled out in written law or by custom. Democracy - a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but which is usually exercised indirectly through a system of representation and delegated authority periodically renewed. Democratic republic - a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them. Dictatorship - a form of government in which a ruler or small clique wield absolute power (not restricted by a constitution or laws). Ecclesiastical - a government administrated by a church. 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. Federal (Federation) - a form of government in which sovereign power is formally divided - usually by means of a constitution - between a central authority and a number of constituent regions (states, colonies, or provinces) so that each region retains some management of its internal affairs; differs from a confederacy in that the central government exerts influence directly upon both individuals as well as upon the regional units. Federal republic - a state in which the powers of the central government are restricted and in which the component parts (states, colonies, or provinces) retain a degree of self-government; ultimate sovereign power rests with the voters who chose their governmental representatives. Islamic republic - a particular form of government adopted by some Muslim states; although such a state is, in theory, a theocracy, it remains a republic, but its laws are required to be compatible with the laws of Islam. Maoism - the theory and practice of Marxism-Leninism developed in China by Mao Zedong (Mao Tse-tung), which states that a continuous revolution is necessary if the leaders of a communist state are to keep in touch with the people. Marxism - the political, economic, and social principles espoused by 19th century economist Karl Marx; he viewed the struggle of workers as a progression of historical forces that would proceed from a class struggle of the proletariat (workers) exploited by capitalists (business owners), to a socialist "dictatorship of the proletariat," to, finally, a classless society - Communism. Marxism-Leninism - an expanded form of communism developed by Lenin from doctrines of Karl Marx; Lenin saw imperialism as the final stage of capitalism and shifted the focus of workers' struggle from developed to underdeveloped countries. Monarchy - a government in which the supreme power is lodged in the hands of a monarch who reigns over a state or territory, usually for life and by hereditary right; the monarch may be either a sole absolute ruler or a sovereign - such as a king, queen, or prince - with constitutionally limited authority. Oligarchy - a government in which control is exercised by a small group of individuals whose authority generally is based on wealth or power. Parliamentary democracy - a political system in which the legislature (parliament) selects the government - a prime minister, premier, or chancellor along with the cabinet ministers - according to party strength as expressed in elections; by this system, the government acquires a dual responsibility: to the people as well as to the parliament. Parliamentary government (Cabinet-Parliamentary government) - a government in which members of an executive branch (the cabinet and its leader - a prime minister, premier, or chancellor) are nominated to their positions by a legislature or parliament, and are directly responsible to it; this type of government can be dissolved at will by the parliament (legislature) by means of a no confidence vote or the leader of the cabinet may dissolve the parliament if it can no longer function. Parliamentary monarchy - a state headed by a monarch who is not actively involved in policy formation or implementation (i.e., the exercise of sovereign powers by a monarch in a ceremonial capacity); true governmental leadership is carried out by a cabinet and its head - a prime minister, premier, or chancellor - who are drawn from a legislature (parliament). Presidential - a system of government where the executive branch exists separately from a legislature (to which it is generally not accountable). Republic - a representative democracy in which the people's elected deputies (representatives), not the people themselves, vote on legislation. Socialism - a government in which the means of planning, producing, and distributing goods is controlled by a central government that theoretically seeks a more just and equitable distribution of property and labor; in actuality, most socialist governments have ended up being no more than dictatorships over workers by a ruling elite. Sultanate - similar to a monarchy, but a government in which the supreme power is in the hands of a sultan (the head of a Muslim state); the sultan may be an absolute ruler or a sovereign with constitutionally limited authority. Theocracy - a form of government in which a Deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler, but the Deity's laws are interpreted by ecclesiastical authorities (bishops, mullahs, etc.); a government subject to religious authority. Totalitarian - a government that seeks to subordinate the individual to the state by controlling not only all political and economic matters, but also the attitudes, values, and beliefs of its population.

Rank country Government type Date of Information

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Rank code: 2129

Country Comparison :: Unemployment rate

This entry contains the percent of the labor force that is without jobs. Substantial underemployment might be noted.

Rank country (%) Date of Information

1 Monaco 0.00 2005 2 Qatar 0.50 2010 est. 3 Azerbaijan 0.90 2010 est. 4 Guernsey 0.90 March 2006 est. 5 Belarus 1.00 2009 est. 6 Uzbekistan 1.10 2010 est. 7 Thailand 1.20 2010 est. 8 Liechtenstein 1.50 31 December 2007 9 Vanuatu 1.70 1999 10 Isle of Man 1.80 October 2010 est. 11 Papua New Guinea 1.80 2004 12 Cuba 2.00 2010 est. 13 Seychelles 2.00 2006 est. 14 Kiribati 2.00 1992 est. 15 Bermuda 2.10 2004 est. 16 Jersey 2.20 2006 est. 17 Tajikistan 2.20 2009 est. 18 Kuwait 2.20 2004 est. 19 Singapore 2.30 2010 est. 20 United Arab Emirates 2.40 2001 21 Laos 2.50 2009 est. 22 Mongolia 2.80 2008 23 Gibraltar 3.00 2005 est. 24 San Marino 3.10 2008 25 Guatemala 3.20 2005 est. 26 Moldova 3.40 2010 est. 27 Cambodia 3.50 2007 est. 28 Malaysia 3.50 2010 est. 29 British Virgin Islands 3.60 1997 30 Macau 3.60 2009 31 Brunei 3.70 2008 32 Norway 3.70 2010 est. 33 Korea, South 3.70 2010 est. 34 Faroe Islands 3.90 2009 35 Switzerland 3.90 2010 est. 36 Bhutan 4.00 2009 37 Cayman Islands 4.00 2008 38 Denmark 4.20 2010 est. 39 Palau 4.20 2005 est. 40 China 4.30 September 2009 est. 41 Panama 4.40 2010 est. 42 Saint Kitts and Nevis 4.50 1997 43 Austria 4.60 2010 est. 44 Hong Kong 4.60 2010 est. 45 Nigeria 4.90 2007 est. 46 Australia 5.10 2010 est. 47 Bangladesh 5.10 2010 est. 48 Honduras 5.10 2010 est. 49 Japan 5.20 2010 est. 50 Taiwan 5.20 2010 est. 51 Sri Lanka 5.40 2010 est. 52 Kazakhstan 5.50 2010 est. 53 Luxembourg 5.50 2010 est. 54 Netherlands 5.50 2010 est. 55 Mexico 5.60 2010 est. 56 Burma 5.70 2010 est. 57 Cyprus 6.00 2010 est. 58 Montserrat 6.00 1998 est. 59 Virgin Islands 6.20 2004 60 Israel 6.40 2010 est. 61 Vietnam 6.40 2010 est. 62 Trinidad and Tobago 6.40 2010 est. 63 New Zealand 6.50 2010 est. 64 Costa Rica 6.60 2010 est. 65 Peru 6.70 2010 est. 66 Greenland 6.80 2007 est. 67 Aruba 6.90 2005 est. 68 Paraguay 6.90 2010 est. 69 Andorra 7.00 2008 70 Malta 7.00 2009 est. 71 Brazil 7.00 2010 est. 72 El Salvador 7.00 2010 est. 73 Armenia 7.10 2007 est. 74 Indonesia 7.10 2010 est. 75 Germany 7.10 2010 est. 76 Uruguay 7.40 2010 est. 77 Botswana 7.50 2007 est. 78 Mauritius 7.50 2010 est. 79 Philippines 7.50 2010 est. 80 Bahamas, The 7.60 2006 est. 81 Fiji 7.60 1999 82 Ecuador 7.60 2010 est. 83 Russia 7.60 2010 est. 84 Argentina 7.90 2010 est. 85 Finland 7.90 2010 est. 86 United Kingdom 7.90 2010 est. 87 Anguilla 8.00 2002 88 Northern Mariana Islands 8.00 2005 est. 89 Nicaragua 8.00 2010 est. 90 Central African Republic 8.00 2001 est. 91 Canada 8.00 2010 est. 92 Belgium 8.10 2010 est. 93 Romania 8.20 2010 est. 94 Bolivia 8.30 2010 est. 95 Syria 8.30 2010 est. 96 Sweden 8.30 2010 est. 97 Italy 8.40 2010 est. 98 Ukraine 8.40 2010 est. 99 Iceland 8.60 2010 est. 100 Chile 8.70 2010 est. 101 World 8.80 2010 est. 102 Czech Republic 9.30 2010 est. 103 Bulgaria 9.50 2010 est. 104 European Union 9.50 2010 est. 105 Suriname 9.50 2004 106 France 9.50 2010 est. 107 United States 9.60 2010 est. 108 Egypt 9.70 2010 est. 109 Morocco 9.80 2010 est. 110 Algeria 9.90 2010 est. 111 Turks and Caicos Islands 10.00 1997 est. 112 Curacao 10.30 2008 est. 113 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 10.30 1999 114 Sint Maarten 10.60 2008 est. 115 Slovenia 10.60 2010 est. 116 Barbados 10.70 2003 est. 117 Portugal 10.70 2010 est. 118 India 10.80 2010 est. 119 Saudi Arabia 10.80 2010 est. 120 Antigua and Barbuda 11.00 2001 est. 121 Guyana 11.00 2007 122 Ghana 11.00 2000 est. 123 Colombia 11.20 2010 est. 124 Hungary 11.50 2010 est. 125 French Polynesia 11.70 2005 126 Poland 11.80 2010 est. 127 Greece 12.00 2010 est. 128 Niue 12.00 2001 129 Puerto Rico 12.00 2002 130 Venezuela 12.10 2010 est. 131 Turkey 12.40 2010 est. 132 Grenada 12.50 2000 133 Slovakia 12.50 2010 est. 134 Albania 12.70 2010 est. 135 Jamaica 12.90 2010 est. 136 Tonga 13.00 FY03/04 est. 137 Belize 13.10 2009 138 Cook Islands 13.10 2005 139 Jordan 13.40 2010 est. 140 Estonia 13.50 2010 est. 141 Ireland 13.70 2010 est. 142 Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha14.00 1998 est. 143 Tunisia 14.00 2010 est. 144 Dominican Republic 14.20 2010 est. 145 Maldives 14.40 2006 est. 146 Iran 14.60 2010 est. 147 Montenegro 14.70 2007 est. 148 Bahrain 15.00 2005 est. 149 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 15.00 2001 est. 150 Pakistan 15.00 2010 est. 151 Oman 15.00 2004 est. 152 Wallis and Futuna 15.20 2003 153 Iraq 15.30 2009 est. 154 Lithuania 16.00 2010 est. 155 Georgia 16.40 2009 est. 156 West Bank 16.50 2010 est. 157 Kosovo 16.60 2009 est. 158 New Caledonia 17.10 2004 159 Serbia 17.20 2010 est. 160 Croatia 17.60 2010 est. 161 Kyrgyzstan 18.00 2004 est. 162 Sudan 18.70 2002 est. 163 Latvia 19.10 2010 est. 164 Comoros 20.00 1996 est. 165 Saint Lucia 20.00 2003 est. 166 Timor-Leste 20.00 2006 est. 167 Spain 20.00 2010 est. 168 Cape Verde 21.00 2000 est. 169 Mozambique 21.00 1997 est. 170 Gabon 21.00 2006 est. 171 Micronesia, Federated States of 22.00 2000 est. 172 Dominica 23.00 2000 est. 173 South Africa 23.30 2010 est. 174 Mayotte 25.40 2005 175 Bosnia and Herzegovina 27.20 2010 est. 176 American Samoa 29.80 2005 177 Cameroon 30.00 2001 est. 178 Mali 30.00 2004 est. 179 Mauritania 30.00 2008 est. 180 Libya 30.00 2004 est. 181 Equatorial Guinea 30.00 1998 est. 182 Macedonia 33.10 2010 est. 183 Afghanistan 35.00 2008 est. 184 Yemen 35.00 2003 est. 185 Marshall Islands 36.00 2006 est. 186 Gaza Strip 40.00 2010 est. 187 Kenya 40.00 2008 est. 188 Swaziland 40.00 2006 est. 189 Lesotho 45.00 2002 190 Nepal 46.00 2008 est. 191 Senegal 48.00 2007 est. 192 Zambia 50.00 2000 est. 193 Namibia 51.20 2008 est. 194 Djibouti 59.00 2007 est. 195 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 60.00 2000 est. 196 Turkmenistan 60.00 2004 est. 197 Burkina Faso 77.00 2004 198 Liberia 85.00 2003 est. 199 Nauru 90.00 2004 est. 200 Zimbabwe 95.00 2009 est.

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Rank code: 2137

Country Comparison :: Military - note

This entry includes miscellaneous military information of significance not included elsewhere.