| autocracy | by an absolute ruler |
| bureaucracy | by state officials |
| constitutionalism | according to a constitution |
| democracy | by elected representatives |
| despotism | by a despot |
| diarchy | by two independent authorities |
| dictatorship | by a dictator |
| fascism | by a right-wing, nationalistic regime |
| federalism | according to federal principles |
| gynarchy | by women |
| heptarchy | by seven rulers |
| hierocracy | by priests |
| imperialism | by an emperor or empire |
| meritocracy | by people of proven ability |
| monarchy | by a monarch |
| monocracy | by one person |
| ochlocracy | by the populace or mob |
| octarchy | by eight people |
| oligarchy | by a small group of people |
| plutocracy | by the rich |
| stratocracy | by the army |
| synarchy | by two or more people or groups |
| theocracy | by priests representing a deity |
| timocracy | by property owners |
| totalitarianism | by an absolute ruler or regime |
| tyranny | by a tyrant |