Political systems

1. What is absolute monarchy?

An absolute monarchy is an idealized form of monarchy where the ruler has the
power to rule their country and citizens freely with no laws or opposition telling the
monarchy what to do. Basically an absolute monarch has total power over its people
and land.
2. What is constitutional monarchy?
A constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch acts as head
of state within the parameters of a written or unwritten or blended constitution. It
differs from absolute monarchy in that an absolute monarch serves as the sole
source of political power in the state and is not legally bound by any constitution.
3. What are the similarities and differences between absolute and constitutional
monarchy?
The absolute monarch exercises total power over the land, yet in practice the
monarchy is counterbalanced by political groups from among the social classes and
castes of the realm, such as the aristocracy and clergy. Today constitutional
monarchy is almost always combined with representative democracy, and represents
a compromise between total trust in the electorate, and in well-bred and well-trained
monarchs raised for the role from birth. Constitutional monarchies include Australia,
Belgium, Bhutan, Cambodia, Canada, Denmark, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia,
Morocco, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Spain,
Sweden, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.
4. Explain the key features of a dictatorship, communisms and oligarchy.
Sometimes dictators can initially obtain power from democratic elections (like Adolf
Hitler of Nazi Germany), but shortly after being elected the dictator will ban all
opposing
parties
and
cancel
all
future
elections.
In this system, there are two major social classes: the proletariat who must work to
survive, and who make up a majority of society and the capitalist class a minority
who derive profit from employing the proletariat, through private ownership of the
means
of
production.
Oligarchy is a form of government where most political power effectively rests with a
small segment of society (typically the wealthiest or most ruthless elite).
Oligarchies are often controlled by a few powerful families whose children are raised
and mentored to become inheritors of the power of the oligarchy, often at some sort
of expense to those governed.

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5. What is a democracy? What are the two types of democracies?

A democracy is a form of government in which the people, either directly or indirectly,
take part in governing. The two types of democracies are direct democracy and
indirect democracy.
6. What are the key features of a republican system?
The key difference between a republic and the monarchy is the former has an
elected president who is a head of state where as the latter is headed by a King or
Queen.
On the other hand, in a parliamentary system the legislature (parliament) selects the
government - a prime minister, premier, or chancellor along with the cabinet
ministers - according to party strength as expressed in elections.
7. How can you differentiate a democracy from a republic?
Both are Federal systems of government; have a parliament composed of two
houses; all legislation must be passed by both houses of parliament; and have an
independent judiciary.
In Australia, the government is drawn from the parliament and responsible to
it, whereas in the US the Executive Branch of government is independent of
the congress and no person may be a member of congress and a minister
simultaneously.
The Australian Prime Minister is chosen by the elected members of the
party/parties that have won a majority of seats in the House of
Representatives, whereas the US President is directly elected by the people
and must appoint non-members of the congress to fill ministerial posts.
Half of the members of the Australian Senate face election every three years,
whereas one-third of the US Senate is elected every two years. Legislation in
the US requires both legislative approval and the president's signature,
whereas in Australia convention ensures that legislation is automatically
ratified by the Governor-General once passed by both houses.

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8. Explain the differences between democratic and other systems of

government?
Democracies have certain characteristics which make them difference from other
political systems. The following characteristics will be observable in a democratic
government although their degree may be varying:

No government allows absolute freedom, but democracies do not heavily

censor newspapers and public expression of opinions.

However, democracies try to avoid the "oppression of the majority" by

providing ways for minorities all kinds to have their voices heard as well.

The elections must be fair and competitive, and the government or political
leaders cannot control the results.

Democracies are not controlled by the whims of a leader, but they are
governed by laws that apply to leaders and citizens equally.

By itself, a citizen's right to vote is not a good measure of democracy.

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