Government | Definition, History, & Facts

government, the political system by which a country or community is administered and regulated. Most of the key words commonly used to describe governments—words such as monarchy, oligarchy, and democracy—are of Greek or Roman origin. They have been current for more than 2,000 years and have not

Government, the political system by which a country or a community is administered and regulated. Read more in this article about the forms and historical development of governments in the societies of the West from ancient times to the 21st century.

government

president of the United States of America

Presidency of the United States of America | History, Elections, List, & Facts

presidency of the United States of America, chief executive office of the United States. In contrast to many countries with parliamentary forms of government, where the office of president, or head of state, is mainly ceremonial, in the United States the president is vested with great authority and

Washington delivering his inaugural address

The term presidency of the United States of America refers to the chief executive office of the United States. In contrast to many countries with parliamentary forms of government, where the office is mainly ceremonial, in the U.S. the president is vested with great authority and is arguably the most powerful elected official in the world.

presidency of the United States of America

James Enos Clyburn

Jim Clyburn | Biography & Facts

Jim Clyburn American politician who served as a Democratic congressman from South Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives (1993– ). He was the second African American and the first South Carolinian to serve as majority whip (2007–11; 2019–23). He also served as assistant leader of the

Jim Clyburn, American politician, a Democratic congressman from South Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives (1993– ). He was the second African American and the first South Carolinian to serve as majority whip (2007–11 and 2019–23). He also served as assistant leader of the Democrats (2011–19 and 2023– ).

Jim Clyburn

Orrin Grant Hatch

Orrin Hatch | Biography & Facts

Orrin Hatch American politician who was the longest-serving Republican senator, representing Utah from 1977 to 2019. He also was president pro tempore of the Senate (2015–19). Hatch, a Mormon, earned a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University (1959) and a law degree from the University of

Orrin Hatch, American politician who was the longest-serving Republican senator, representing Utah from 1977 to 2019, and who was a powerful voice for conservatives. In 2000 Hatch ran for president but ultimately withdrew from the race. Learn more about his life and career.

Orrin Hatch

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Communication services, added in 2018, includes traditional and social media, web platforms, video game makers, and telecom providers. Companies include AT&T, Netflix, Facebook parent Meta, and Google parent Alphabet.

Communication Services

Discretionary companies - autos, travel and entertainment companies, apparel makers, and e-commerce - tend to rise and fall with the consumer economy. Companies include Ford, Nike, Disney, McDonald’s, and Amazon.

Consumer Discretionary

Staples are everyday products such as toothpaste, detergent, food and beverages, groceries, and beauty supplies. Companies include Costco, Walmart, Coca-Cola, and Procter & Gamble.

Consumer Staples

The energy sector, which includes oil and gas producers, pipeline builders, and refineries, tends to follow commodities. Companies include ExxonMobil, Halliburton, Chevron, Occidental, and ConocoPhillips.

Energy

The financials sector includes insurance, commercial and investment banks, brokers, and credit card and payment providers. Companies include JPMorganChase, PayPal, Allstate, Visa, BlackRock, and Goldman Sachs.

Financials

The health care sector includes pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biotechnology, and health insurance companies. Top names include Pfizer, UnitedHealth, Medtronic, and Johnson & Johnson.

Health Care

The industrials sector includes construction, agricultural machinery, airplanes, defense (weapons) contractors, railroads, and delivery companies. Top names include Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Caterpillar, FedEx, 3M, and CSX.

Industrials

The growth-oriented tech sector makes and services semiconductors, cell phones, computer hardware and software, and services such as cloud computing. Companies include Apple, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Cisco.

Information Technology

The materials sector includes agricultural services, miners, and makers of paper, steel, and chemicals. Typically growth-oriented dividend payers, companies include International Paper, Alcoa, Dow, Freeport-McMoRan, and Newmont.

Materials

Known for stability and a history of solid dividends, the utilities sector includes electricity providers, nuclear power companies, and waste haulers. Companies include NextEra, Waste Management, and Duke Energy.

Utilities

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.

Nayib Armando Bukele Ortez

Nayib Bukele | Biography, Family, Gang Crackdown, Popularity, & Ethnicity

Nayib Bukele is the iron-fisted president of El Salvador (2019– ), who has unabashedly styled himself as the “world’s coolest dictator” and the country’s “philosopher king.” He first gained attention as the young mayor of the capital city of San Salvador (2015–18) before ascending to the

Nayib Bukele is the iron-fisted president of El Salvador (2019– ), who has unabashedly styled himself as the ‘world’s coolest dictator’ and the country’s ‘philosopher king.’

Nayib Bukele

Bassirou Diomaye Faye | Biography, Election, Sonko, Ndiaganiao, & Facts

Bassirou Diomaye Faye is a Senegalese politician and former tax inspector who became the president of Senegal in April 2024. Faye was raised in Ndiaganiao, where he attended Marie Médiatrice Catholic School. He later attended Lycée Demba Diop in Mbour, where he graduated in 2000. Faye went on to

Bassirou Diomaye Faye is a Senegalese politician and former tax inspector who became the president of Senegal in April 2024. Faye is closely associated with Ousmane Sonko, a very popular opposition figure.

Bassirou Diomaye Faye

Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu

Bobi Wine | Biography, Image, Family, Arua, People’s President, Ghetto President, Film, & Facts

Bobi Wine is a Ugandan politician, performer, and activist who first garnered acclaim for his popular hits and socially conscious songs he called “edutainment”—the fusion of education and entertainment. He later became known for being a vocal critic of Ugandan Pres. Yoweri Museveni (1986– ) and his

Bobi Wine (Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu) is a Ugandan politician and performer who first garnered acclaim for his popular hits and socially conscious songs he called ‘edutainment’—the fusion of education and entertainment. He later became known for being a vocal critic of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni (1986– ).

Bobi Wine

Cypselus | Ancient Greek, Corinthian Ruler, Tyrant

Cypselus tyrant of Corinth (c. 657– c. 628 bce). Though his mother belonged to the ruling Bacchiadae dynasty, clan members attempted to kill him at birth because his father was an outsider. When he grew up, he overthrew them and set up the first tyrant dynasty. He was encouraged in his quest for

Cypselus

Aristagoras | Ionian Revolt, Persian War & Miletus

Aristagoras Tyrant of Miletus. He assumed his regency from his father-in-law, Histiaeus (d. 494 bc), who had lost the trust of the Persian emperor, Darius I. Possibly incited by Histiaeus, and with support from Athens and Eretria, Aristagoras raised the Ionian revolt against Persia. Defeated, he

Aristagoras

Theron | tyrant of Acragas

Theron tyrant of Acragas (modern Agrigento in southwestern Sicily) from 488 to 472, allied with Gelon, the powerful despot of Syracuse. Together they defeated an invading Carthaginian army at Himera in 480. Theron was also known as a patron of the

Theron

Dictators

Mehr al-Nesāʾ

Nur Jahan | Empress, Accomplishments, & History

Nūr Jahān de facto ruler of India during the later years of the reign of her husband Jahāngīr, who was emperor from 1605 to 1627. She achieved unprecedented political power for a woman in Mughal India. Mehr al-Nesāʾ was born in Kandahār to parents Mirzā Ghiyās Beg and Asmat Begum, Persians who fled

Nur Jahan, most prominent wife of Mughal emperor Jahangir. She is believed by many to have been the principal governing force behind the final years of Jahangir’s reign. Learn more about Nur Jahan’s life and her accomplishments as empress in this article.

Nūr Jahān

Amitrochates, Bindusara Maurya

Bindusara | Indian Empire, Ashoka’s Father, Mauryan Dynasty

Bindusara second Mauryan emperor, who ascended the throne about 297 bce. Greek sources refer to him as Amitrochates, Greek for the Sanskrit amitraghata (“destroyer of foes”). The name perhaps reflects his successful campaign in the Deccan. Chandragupta—Bindusara’s father and founder of the Mauryan

Bindusara

Owada Masako

Masako | Facts, Biography, & Children

Masako Japanese diplomat who became the crown princess of Japan when she married Crown Prince Naruhito in 1993. She became empress of Japan in May 2019. Owada Masako was the daughter of Owada Hisashi, a high-ranking official of the Japanese government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As a child she

Masako, Japanese diplomat who became the crown princess of Japan when she married Crown Prince Naruhito in 1993. She became empress of Japan in May 2019. A fast-rising diplomat in the Japanese foreign service, she set aside her career for a life in the imperial household. In 2001 she gave birth to Princess Aiko.

Masako

Emperors & Empresses

Jill Tracy Jacobs

Jill Biden | Biography, Family, & Education

Jill Biden American first lady (2021– ), wife of Joe Biden, the 46th president of the United States. Jill Jacobs was born in New Jersey but mostly grew up in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia, where her father was vice president of a savings and loan institution. She began

Jill Biden, American first lady (2021– ), wife of Joe Biden, the 46th president of the United States. She previously served as second lady (2009–17) when her husband was vice president under President Barack Obama. Learn more about Jill Biden, including her work as an educator.

Jill Biden

Melania Knauss, Melanija Knavs

Melania Trump | Biography & Facts

Melania Trump American first lady (2017–21), the wife of Donald Trump, 45th president of the United States. She was only the second foreign-born first lady, after Louisa Adams. Melanija Knavs grew up in Sevnica, Yugoslavia (now in Slovenia), where her father sold cars and her mother worked in the

Melania Trump, American first lady (2017–21), the wife of Donald Trump, 45th president of the United States. She was only the second foreign-born first lady, after Louisa Adams. Melania previously worked as a fashion model. Learn more about her life and career.

Melania Trump

Michelle LaVaughn Robinson

Michelle Obama | Biography & Facts

Michelle Obama American first lady (2009–17), the wife of Barack Obama, 44th president of the United States. She was the first African American first lady. Michelle Robinson, who grew up on Chicago’s South Side, was the daughter of Marian, a homemaker, and Frasier Robinson, a worker in the city’s

Michelle Obama, American first lady (2009–17), the wife of Barack Obama, 44th president of the United States. She was the first African American first lady, and during her time in that post she notably supported military families and promoted healthy eating. Learn more about her life and career.

Michelle Obama

First Ladies

Jay Robert Pritzker

J.B. Pritzker | Biography, Governor, Illinois, Family, Term, & Facts

J.B. Pritzker is an American Democratic politician and businessman who is governor of Illinois (2019– ). He is a member of the prominent Pritzker family, who owns the Hyatt hotel chain and is one of the wealthiest families in the United States. Before being elected governor, Pritzker played a role

J.B. Pritzker is an American Democratic politician and businessman who is the governor of Illinois (2019– ). His family owns the global Hyatt hotel chain and is one of the wealthiest families in the United States. Before being elected governor, Pritzker played a role in the founding of multiple venture capital firms. As a politician, he developed a reputation for pursuing liberal policies in support of abortion rights, gun control, and LGBTQ+ rights.

J.B. Pritzker

Dorothy Ann Willis

Ann Richards | Biography, Government Service, Family, & Facts

Ann Richards American Democratic politician who served as governor of Texas from 1991 to 1995. A prominent figure in that state’s politics, Richards gained national attention for her keynote speech at the 1988 Democratic National Convention. Throughout her career she fought for civil rights and

Ann Richards

Mario Matthew Cuomo

Mario Cuomo | Biography, 1984 DNC Speech, Wife, & Death

Mario Cuomo American politician who served three terms as governor of New York (1983–94). One of the most prominent figures in the Democratic Party, he was known as a powerful speaker and a champion of progressive policies. Cuomo was the fourth child of Andrea and Immaculata (née Giordano) Cuomo,

Mario Cuomo

Governors

Frederik André Henrik Christian

Frederik X | Biography, Denmark, & Queen Mary

Frederik X became Denmark’s king, at age 55, on January 14, 2024, following the abdication of his 83-year-old mother, Queen Margrethe II, who was the longest-serving European monarch still reigning. As a young man, Frederik gained a reputation as a fast-living “party prince,” but, after serving in

Frederik X became Denmark’s king, at age 55, on January 14, 2024, following the abdication of his 83-year-old mother, Queen Margrethe II, who was the longest-serving European monarch still reigning.

Frederik X

Salman ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz Āl Saʿūd

Salman of Saudi Arabia | King, Father, Siblings, & Son

Salman of Saudi Arabia is king of Saudi Arabia (2015– ) and is expected to be the last of the sons of Abdulaziz ibn Saud, the founder of Saudi Arabia, to rule the country. Because Salman acceded to the throne at the advanced age of 79, his son Mohammed bin Salman has assumed many of his father’s

Salman is king of Saudi Arabia (2015– ) and the last of the sons of Abdulaziz ibn Saud to rule the country. His son Mohammed bin Salman has assumed many of his father’s duties as head of state and government.

Salman of Saudi Arabia

Ælla of Northumbria, Aelle of Northumbria

Aella of Northumbria | Reign and Death

Aella of Northumbria Anglo-Saxon king of Northumbria who succeeded to the throne in 862 or 863, on the deposition of Osbert, although he was not of royal birth. The Scandinavian legendary history Gesta Danorum regarded Aella as the king responsible for the death of the Viking leader Ragnar

Biography of Aella of Northumbria, Anglo-Saxon king and reputed killer of Ragnar Lothbrok.

Aella of Northumbria

Kings

William Worth Belknap | Facts, Significance, & Impeachment

William Worth Belknap was an American military officer and public official who served with distinction in the Union army during the American Civil War. Later, as secretary of war under U.S. Pres. Ulysses S. Grant, he was accused of taking bribes. In 1876 Belknap became the first presidential

William Worth Belknap was an American military officer and public official. As secretary of war under U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant, he was accused of taking bribes and in 1876 was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives.

William Worth Belknap

Norman Yoshio Mineta

Norman Mineta | Biography & Facts

Norman Mineta had a long career in government, serving as a mayor of San Jose, California, and then as a U.S. congressman for nearly 21 years. In 2000 he became the first Asian American in a presidential cabinet. He served under two presidents from two different political parties, first as U.S.

American politician Norman Mineta was the first Asian American to serve in a presidential cabinet.

Norman Mineta

Other Politicians

Pharaoh | Definition, History, & Facts

pharaoh, (from Egyptian per ʿaa, “great house”), originally, the royal palace in ancient Egypt. The word came to be used metonymically for the Egyptian king under the New Kingdom (starting in the 18th dynasty, 1539–1292 bce), and by the 22nd dynasty (c. 945–c. 730 bce) it had been adopted as an

Pharaoh, originally, the royal palace in ancient Egypt. The word came to be used metonymically for the Egyptian king under the New Kingdom (starting in the 18th dynasty, 1539–1292 BCE), and by the 22nd dynasty (c. 945–c. 730 BCE) it had been adopted as an epithet of respect. It was never the king’s formal title.

pharaoh

Pharaohs

Ilham Aliyev | Azerbaijan, President, Family, & Biography

Ilham Aliyev is the longtime president of Azerbaijan (2003– ) who has leveraged the country’s oil wealth to enrich his autocratic rule and build up a military capacity that in the 2020s allowed Azerbaijan to take control of Nagorno-Karabakh, a region of southwestern Azerbaijan that had asserted its

Ilham Aliyev is the longtime president of Azerbaijan (2003– ) who has leveraged the country’s oil wealth to enrich his autocratic rule and build up a military capacity that in the 2020s allowed Azerbaijan to take control of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Ilham Aliyev

Presidents & Heads of States

Hun Manet | Prime Minister of Cambodia, Facts, & Biography

Hun Manet is a Cambodian politician who became prime minister in 2023. He succeeded his father, Hun Sen, who ruled for almost four decades, from 1985 to 2023. Hun Manet is the eldest son of five children born to Hun Sen and Bun Rany. Hun Sen later said in public speeches that Hun Manet is possibly

Hun Manet is a Cambodian politician who became prime minister in 2023. He succeeded his father, Hun Sen, who ruled for almost four decades, from 1985 to 2023.

Hun Manet

Nikol Pashinyan | Biography, Armenia, Prime Minister, & Nagorno-Karabakh

Nikol Pashinyan Armenian journalist and politician who serves as prime minister of Armenia (2018– ). He rose to power in 2018 on a wave of popular discontent against the ruling party, an event that he dubbed the “Velvet Revolution.” He became the subject of popular ire, however, after Armenia

Nikol Pashinyan

Fumio Kishida | Biography, Facts, Prime Minister of Japan, Education, Age, Accomplishments, & Political Party

Fumio Kishida Japanese politician who served as leader of the Liberal-Democratic Party of Japan (LDP) and head of the Kōchikai (a faction within the LDP with a liberal tendency) and became prime minister of Japan in 2021. Prior to becoming prime minister, Kishida served as foreign minister

World Leaders

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