What is the difference between communism, democracy, dictatorship, and so on?

Question

Well, I'm studying history and I don't fully understand what they all mean. Dictatorship is when there's one leader, I think. Democracy is when the government is ruled by the people, and communism is..........?

Also, are there any more forms of....government? Please don't just copy and paste answers, because I already tried to google this, and I need a human explanation.

Thanks

Answer 1

In the strictest political sense communism is a dictatorship though they try to call it socialism.  Democracy in the strictest sense is what you found in Athens, Greece where all eligible citizens would come together to discuss and vote on whatever.  This is the one man one vote concept.  But even here certain people were disenfranchised.  The U.S. is a republic in that we elect house and senate members.  A house member represents 435,000 people.(I believe that is correct).

Answer 2

On the lighter side, but easy to understand;

DEMOCRAT

You have two cows.

Your neighbor has none.

You feel guilty for being successful.

You push for higher taxes so the government can provide cows for everyone.

REPUBLICAN

You have two cows.

Your neighbor has none.

So?

SOCIALIST

You have two cows.

The government takes one and

gives it to your neighbor.

You form a cooperative to tell him

how to manage his cow.

COMMUNIST

You have two cows.

The government seizes both and

provides you with milk.

You wait in line for hours to get it.

It is expensive and sour.

CAPITALISM, AMERICAN STYLE

You have two cows.

You sell one, buy a bull, and build a

herd of cows.

BUREAUCRACY, AMERICAN STYLE

You have two cows.

Under the new farm program the government pays you to shoot one,milk the other, and then pours the

milk down the drain.

Yes, dictators are like Saddam Hussein.

Answer 3

I don't put communism in with the rest of your categories because it is economic rather than political (like democracy) although I've never seen a communist democracy, communism is when every penny you make is determined by the gov't.

Answer 4

Actually, dictatorships are just countries where there is a group with absolute power, not specifically one leader. Democracy is just where the people have some say. Communism is supposedly where everyone is equal, but it ends up with something like the USSR, or the modern-day People's Republic of China, where everyone clearly is not equal.

Answer 5

In a dictatorship, the leader has usually taken control by force and has ultimate power.  His decision is final.

In a democracy, citizens vote on all legislation.  

In a republic, like the United States (yes, the US is not a democracy, but a republic), citizens elect representatives to represent them legislatively.

Communism is not a form of government, but a form of society where governing entity has ultimate power.  Thus, a communist society is usually, but not always, ruled by a dictator.

There are multiple other forms of government and society, and considerable space would be required to describe them all.  If you'd care to specify, then they can be addressed.