Stjórnarform

Stjórnarform refers to the system of government within a state. It describes how political power is organized, distributed, and exercised. Different stjórnarform systems vary in who holds ultimate authority, how leaders are chosen, and the extent of citizen participation.

Common types of stjórnarform include democracy, where power ultimately rests with the people, often through elected representatives. In a presidential democracy, the head of government is also the head of state and is elected separately from the legislature. In a parliamentary democracy, the head of government (prime minister) is typically a member of the legislature and chosen by the majority party or coalition.

Other forms of stjórnarform exist, such as monarchies, where a king or queen is the head of state, though their power can range from absolute to largely ceremonial. Autocracy describes a system where a single person holds absolute power. Oligarchy is a form of government where a small group of people holds power. Totalitarianism is an extreme form of autocracy or oligarchy where the state seeks to control all aspects of public and private life. Anarchy, in a political context, refers to the absence of any governing authority. The specific stjórnarform adopted by a country significantly shapes its political landscape and the rights and responsibilities of its citizens.