The statement that accurately describes the characteristics of each government type is:
**"Oligarchies and monarchies had a ruling class that presided over the people while democracies relied entirely on the people."**
This statement captures the fundamental difference between these types of government: where oligarchies and monarchies involve few individuals (the ruling class or monarch) making decisions for the majority, democracies are based on the principle of people's participation and decision-making through voting rights.