Monarchies – Many ancient civilizations, like Egypt and Babylon, were ruled by kings or emperors who held absolute power, often justified by divine right or heredity.

Oligarchies – In places like Sparta, a small group of elites controlled decision-making, often based on military prowess, wealth, or aristocracy.

Tribal Councils & Chiefdoms – In indigenous and early human societies, governance was often decentralized, with decisions made collectively by elders or a chief.

Theocratic Rule – Some societies, like early Mesopotamian city-states, were ruled by religious leaders or priest-kings, where laws were believed to be divinely ordained.

Imperial Bureaucracies – Empires like China and Persia developed large, hierarchical systems where administration was handled by appointed officials rather than citizen participation.

Direct Rule by Force – In some cases, leaders seized power through conquest or intimidation, rather than a structured political system.