<p>Hey this is something that I haven't really been able to understand all year.... I'm not really good with "government vocab" so can someone please clarify and explain these types of governments?</p>
<p>Republic (what is this...)</p>
<p>Socialist vs Communist (difference?) </p>
<p>Social democrats (a mix of socialism and democracy??)</p>
<p>"Leftist" and "Rightist" politicians... what is left and right? and middle? </p>
<p>I think I have some more but they don't come to mind atm. </p>
<p>Please help! thanks. Oh and naming examples for each of the above would be UBER helpful.</p>
<p>[SparkNotes:</a> Political Ideologies and Styles: Major Political Ideologies](<a href=“http://www.sparknotes.com/us-government-and-politics/political-science/political-ideologies-and-styles/section2.rhtml]SparkNotes:”>Political Ideologies and Styles: Major Political Ideologies | SparkNotes)</p>
<p>If you really need help, I can answer your questions as I’m currently taking AP Euro as well. Let me know if you still have questions…</p>
<p>Thanks for the site. I’ll ask questions if I still need some help. But it doesn’t look like they cover republics (I looked over it hastily). </p>
<p>What is a republic? and an “enlightened despot” ?</p>
<p>Enlightened despots are absolutist rulers influenced by the Enlightenment. Usually they are Catherine the Great of Russia, Joseph II of Austria, and Frederick the Great of Prussia. They are notable for their social and political reforms.</p>