Politics, Law & Government Portal (2024)

The world today is divided territorially into more than 190 countries, each of which possesses a national government that claims to exercise sovereignty and seeks to compel obedience to its will by its citizens. Governments can be classified in any number of ways. For example, they might be classified by the number of rulers, thus distinguishing government by one (as in a monarchy or a tyranny) from government by the few (in an aristocracy or oligarchy) and from government by the many (as in a democracy). Governments can also be classified by mode of succession; for example, ascension to governmental leadership may follow the rules of hereditary succession, or it may be determined through elections or by force. Governments also vary in terms of the laws and rules of conduct that each political entity follows.

Browse Subcategories

International RelationsMilitaryWorld Leaders

Featured content, June 03, 2024

9 American Political Scandals

Are you ready to be scandalized?

What’s the Difference Between a Migrant and a Refugee?

Everyone is looking for somewhere to belong.

The Surprisingly Disorderly History of the U.S. Presidential Succession Order

Who takes over and when?

Why Doesn’t Arizona Observe Daylight Saving Time?

Arizona already has enough sun.

property law

Property law, principles, policies, and rules by which disputes over property are to be resolved and by which property transactions...

international payment and exchange

International payment and exchange, respectively, any payment made by one country to another and the market in which national...

insurance

Insurance, a system under which the insurer, for a consideration usually agreed upon in advance, promises to reimburse the...

military aircraft

Military aircraft, any type of aircraft that has been adapted for military use. Aircraft have been a fundamental part of...

Politics, Law & Government Quizzes

Structures of Government: Fact or Fiction?

Parliamentary democracy. Monarchies. Feudalism. All are types of government, but do you know the differences? Sort out the...

Amendments to the U.S. Constitution

Which amendment is which? Match the amendment number to its purpose.

Republican or Democrat?

Think you’re a political junkie? Prove it by acing our Democrat or Republican quiz.

U.S. Presidential Elections Quiz

Which day of the week are U.S. presidential elections held? Who was George Washington’s running mate? Test your knowledge...

Australian Government and Political System

Australia is a federation, and the duties of the federal government and the division of powers between the Commonwealth and...

Voting for the U.S. President: A Quiz

Test your knowledge of how voters voted in U.S. presidential elections across history. Quiz content provided by

Women’s History: Leaders Quiz

Women have been political leaders for centuries. Test what you know about their accomplishments with this quiz.

U.S. Constitutional History Quiz

Who is considered the father of the U.S. Constitution? Which English philosopher greatly influenced the Constitution? Find...

Global Governance Quiz

Intergovernmental cooperation is essential to resolve issues of global importance. That cooperation is often made possible...

U.S. Presidential History Quiz

The phrase “New Frontier” is associated with which U.S. president? Who was “first in war, first in peace, and first in the...

Politics, Law & Government Videos

Discover how Grover Cleveland handled the Haymarket Riot, Panic of 1893, and Pullman Strike

Know about Queen Anne, monarch of Great Britain and Ireland

Discover how President Buchanan reacted to the Dred Scott decision and John Brown's assault on Harpers Ferry

Discover how Franklin Pierce's Kansas-Nebraska Act fueled the slavery debate and led to Bleeding Kansas

Learn about the United States' sixth president, John Quincy Adams, on the National Republican Party

Impact of the deutsche mark in Germany

Know the accomplishments of Bill Clinton and the scandals

Hear a discussion about citizenship and online rights

Examine urbanization in South America by viewing Lima, Santiago, and Valparaíso

Learn about the Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong

Never Miss a Day in History

Sign up for daily fun facts about this day in history, updates, and special offers delivered right to your inbox.

Thank you for subscribing!

Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox.

Politics, Law & Government Subcategories

This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.

Articles

  • urban planning
  • marketing

    business

  • research and development

This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.

Articles

  • Jeff Bezos

    American entrepreneur

  • Andrew Carnegie

    American industrialist and philanthropist

  • Steve Jobs

    American businessman

Economic system, any of the ways in which humankind has arranged for its material provisioning. One would think that there would be a great variety of such systems, corresponding to the many cultural arrangements that have characterized human society.

Articles

  • economic system
  • bank

    finance

  • marketing

    business

International Relations

International relations is the study of the relations of states with each other and with international organizations and certain subnational entities (e.g., bureaucracies, political parties, and interest groups). It is related to a number of other academic disciplines, including political science, geography, history, economics, law, sociology, psychology, and philosophy.

Articles

  • Korean War

    1950–1953

  • Paris Agreement

    international treaty [2015]

  • United Nations

    international organization

This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.

Articles

  • crime

    law

  • canon law

    religion

  • international law

Military

This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.

Articles

  • war college

    educational institution

  • Army of Tennessee

    Confederate army during American Civil War

  • United States Air Force

    United States military

This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.

Articles

  • election

    political science

  • war
  • anarchism

World Leaders

This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.

Articles

  • George W. Bush

    president of United States

  • Philip II

    king of Macedonia

  • Winston Churchill

    prime minister of United Kingdom

Britannica Premium Subscription Did you know you’re not getting the full Britannica experience? Sign up for Premium to get access to all of our trusted content and exclusive originals. Subscribe today!
Politics, Law & Government Portal (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Nicola Considine CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 5953

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (49 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nicola Considine CPA

Birthday: 1993-02-26

Address: 3809 Clinton Inlet, East Aleisha, UT 46318-2392

Phone: +2681424145499

Job: Government Technician

Hobby: Calligraphy, Lego building, Worldbuilding, Shooting, Bird watching, Shopping, Cooking

Introduction: My name is Nicola Considine CPA, I am a determined, witty, powerful, brainy, open, smiling, proud person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.