Political Systems: Democracy and Monarchy

Study Notes

Democracy is a system of government where power is held by the people, exercised directly or indirectly through representation.
Key features of democracy include:
- Respect for basic rights
- Multi-party political system with tolerance
- Democratic voting system
- Respect for the rule of law
- Democratic governance
- Citizen participation
Examples of countries with democratic governments include:
- India: Democratic Republic with a parliamentary system, federal structure with unitary features
- USA: Representative democracy, citizens vote for government officials
- Philippines: Democratic and republican states, three-branch governmental system

A monarchy is a political system based on the undivided rule of a single person, the monarch.
The monarch usually achieves their position through heredity.
Types of monarchies:
- Constitutional monarchy: The monarch's power is limited by the constitution.
- Absolute monarchy: The monarch holds all the power.
Examples of constitutional monarchies:
- The United Kingdom
- Thailand
- Japan

Communism is a political theory advocating for a classless society where all property is publicly owned.
Key features of communism:
- Classless society: No difference between rich and poor, abolishing the bourgeoisie (owner class) and the proletariat (worker class).
- Common ownership of resources: Community produces and enjoys benefits collectively.
- Abolition of private property: Encourages focus on social good rather than individual profit.
- Social equality: Eliminating differences and discrimination.
- Opposition to democracy: Private organizations and market participation are not allowed.
Examples of communist countries include:
- China
- North Korea
- Laos
- Cuba
- Vietnam

A parliamentary government is a system where the majority party in parliament holds governmental power.
Key features of parliamentary government:
- Nominal and real executives: President is the nominal head of state, Prime Minister is the real head of government.
- Double membership: Prime Minister and council of Ministers serve as the executive, parliament serves as the legislature.
- Collective responsibility: Executive is collectively responsible to the legislature.
- Secrecy of procedure: Cabinet proceedings are kept confidential.
- Majority party rule: Prime Minister is usually from the party with the majority in the lower house.
- Bicameral legislature: Used in most parliamentary democracies.
- Political homogeneity: Ministers are usually from the same political party.
- No fixed term: Government term is determined by majority support in the lower house.
Examples:
- Germany
- Australia
- Japan

A presidential government is a system with a president who is independent of the legislature.
Key features of presidential government:
- Real head of state: The president is the real executive head.
- Single unified executive: The president serves as both the nominal and real head of state.
- Separation of powers: Legislature and executive are independent.
- Superior position of president: The president holds the central power of government.
- Head of government as head of state.
Examples:
- United States of America (USA)
- Brazil
- Philippines

A republic is a form of government where the power is held by the people, but exercised through elected representatives.
Key features of a republic:
- People are sovereign: Power rests with the people.
- Periodic elections: Representatives are elected regularly.
- Universal adult suffrage: All adults have the right to vote.
- Fixed tenure for political office: Elected officials serve for a specific term.
- Supremacy of the constitution: The constitution is the highest law of the land.
Example:
- The United States of America