Why have particular systems of government come into being? How do they succeed? What makes them fail? What effect does government have on the way in which society is structured, and how does a governmental system affect the economic and cultural life of its citizens? Systems of Government answers these questions and more as it looks at the major governmental systems in the world today and examines their origins, history, and practical application in the twenty-first century. Each book includes relevant biographies of prominent personalities, primary source quotations, and time lines tracing the development of different systems of government throughout history. Special boxes focusing on historical events provide additional context for each system of government, and critical questions of the pros and cons of each system are explored in depth.