Other Forms of Government

Class 7 Social Science · Chapter 9: From the Rulers to the Ruled: Types of Governments · NCERT Exploring Society: India and Beyond section 9.4

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In a monarchy, a king or queen inherits power, usually passing it to the eldest son. In India, kings were guided by sabhās, ministers and scholars, and were expected to follow rājadharma: ruling by dharma for everyone's welfare, an ideal not always met. In the Mahābhārata, Bhīṣhma taught Yudhiṣṭhira that a ruler's authority is temporary and bound by dharma. In Kalhaṇa's Rājataraṅgiṇī, King Chandrāpīḍa respectfully asked a cobbler for his hut and paid him fairly before building a temple there.

Today, in an absolute monarchy like Saudi Arabia, the monarch makes, enforces and judges the laws, and a council only advises. In a constitutional monarchy like the UK, the king or queen has only nominal power, and an elected parliament and prime minister govern, so it is really a parliamentary democracy. A theocracy is ruled by religious rules and leaders: in Iran a Supreme Leader chosen by clerics for life holds ultimate authority, alongside an elected president and parliament; Vatican City is another example.

In a dictatorship, one person or a small group holds absolute power, with no limits from a constitution or law. Adolf Hitler in Germany eliminated opposition, caused World War II and the killing of at least six million Jews (the Holocaust) and many Roma, a people who originated in India. Idi Amin in Uganda killed thousands and forced many Indian-origin families to flee. In some countries today, citizens are watched closely and told even how to cut their hair. An oligarchy (from Greek for "rule of a few") is ruled by a small, wealthy group; even democracies can drift towards it if a few gain too much influence.

Explore: name the form of government.

1. Sort each practice.

Remember

• Monarchies may be absolute or constitutional; Indian kings were expected to follow rājadharma.
• Theocracies are ruled by religious leaders; dictatorships and oligarchies concentrate power in one or a few.

Quick check

Britain has a king but is really a parliamentary democracy. It is a …

1. constitutional monarchy
2. absolute monarchy
3. theocracy
4. dictatorship

Think about it

What might happen if a ruler believed he had divine power beyond question?

Practice

Practise with fresh questions at three levels (easy, medium, hard), some answered hands-on, with hints and worked answers. Get 4 of your last 5 right to finish the topic.