HISET Social Studies Practice

What type of government has no formal laws or authority?

1. Oligarchy

2. Democracy

3. Anarchy

4. Dictatorship

The correct answer is: Anarchy

Anarchy is characterized by the absence of a formal government or authority. In an anarchic system, there is no overarching structure of laws or established political institutions governing the behavior of individuals or groups. This condition arises when there is a breakdown of societal order, often leading to a state of lawlessness where individuals act independently, without the constraints imposed by legal frameworks or government mandates. In contrast, the other types of governments mentioned maintain some form of authority or law. An oligarchy involves rule by a small group of elites, often with specific political or economic interests. Democracy is defined by the participation of the general populace in governance, primarily through voting and civic engagement, with established laws guiding the process. A dictatorship, on the other hand, features centralized control by a single leader or a small group, with strict enforcement of authority and little to no input from the citizenry. Thus, the defining feature of anarchy lies in its lack of governance and the absence of enforced laws, making it distinct from these other forms of government.