The monarchy and the republic are forms of government. What traits do they have? In which countries do they operate? Let's find out about it.
What is a form of government?
The form of government is one of the most ancient characteristics of government. Her study was puzzled by the ancient Greeks. Previously, it determined only the principle by which power was transferred in the country. Over time, this concept has expanded.
Now the form of government completely determines the organizational structure of the governing bodies in the state, in particular their composition, competence, formation procedure, term of office, etc. It also determines the principle and procedure for their interaction with the population and among themselves.
Monarchy and the republic are the two main forms of government. Each is divided into several types. In addition to them, there are also mixed forms of government in which there are elements from both forms. Depending on which form prevails, a monarchical republic or a republican monarchy is distinguished.
A separate species is considered theocratic, or Islamic, republic. In it, the rule belongs to the Islamic clergy. The head of state is elected by a special body - the Council of Experts, consisting of the most influential theologians of the country.
Monarchy
In ancient Greek, "monarchy" means "autocracy". Under this form of government, the supreme power is fully or partially in the hands of one person. The post of monarch may be elective or be inherited.
In ancient times, it was believed that the head of such a state is the chosen one of God. He was the successor of traditions, an example of morality, nobility. The monarch, as a rule, used power for life and could transfer it only to relatives. Of course, there were elected monarchies, for example, the Commonwealth or Rome.
There are such forms of monarchy as absolute and constitutional. In the first, the ruler’s power is unlimited, all decisions and authorities are controlled only by him. In the second, the powers of the monarch are regulated by constitution or tradition. It can be divided into two types:
- parliamentary - where all decisions on the management of the state are controlled by the parliament, and the monarch is only the face of the country;
- dualistic - the monarch has certain powers, but his power is limited to parliament and the constitution.
Republic
Republican government provides for the election of the head of state. Power cannot be inherited, and citizens necessarily have personal and political rights. All authorities are also elected. They are formed by voting or by a national institution (parliament, council, etc.).
The main feature of the republic is the election of the highest authorities, a specific term of government, legal responsibility of the ruling person. A republic as a form of government can be parliamentary, presidential and mixed.
In a presidential republic, the head of government and state is the president. He can form and dissolve a government without parliament. In a parliamentary republic, in decision-making, the president goes by the wayside. He is the head of state and performs representative functions, while parliament controls the work of the government.
In a mixed republic, the powers of both structures are highly intertwined. The president can form a government, but only with the participation of parliament. Thus, the activities of the executive branch are controlled by both the president and parliament.
Monarchy in Russia
Modern Russia is a presidential republic. Sometimes it is defined as a mixed parliamentary-presidential republic with expanded presidential powers. All rights and laws in the state are regulated by the constitution, which was adopted in 1993.
However, the republic did not always act. Instead, for a long time there was a monarchy. The history of the country goes back to the Old Russian state, founded back in 862. After him, the Russian lands united in the Principality of Moscow, the Russian state, the kingdom and the empire.
In the XVII century, Peter I established an absolutist monarchy. The head of government was subordinate to all organizations and institutions, including the church. Despite this, the actual power belonged to the supreme officials. The monarchy in Russia lasted until 1917. The last emperor was Nicholas II, who was shot with his family.
The monarchy and the republic: differences, advantages and disadvantages
Sole government of the state was often recognized as the best and right. A supporter of the monarchy was, for example, Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Aristotle considered her the most natural form of government. Nevertheless, both the monarchy and the republic have their drawbacks and advantages.
One of the advantages of the monarchy is quick decision-making, lack of political struggle, interest in a strong and prosperous state on the part of the ruler, since power will pass to his children. The life term of the government places a great responsibility on the monarch and gives more time to transform the country.
Strengths also lead to weaknesses in such a system. Unlike the republic, in a monarchy the ruler does not bear legal responsibility for his actions. Unity can give rise to dictatorship by the head of state.
In the republic, due to the election of posts, real democracy is possible. Here, all rights are regulated by a set of laws, and not by decrees and edicts of one person. Longer adoption of decisions and laws can be considered a disadvantage, since the majority principle applies.
Modern states
Only a third of the countries are now monarchies (red on the map below). Traditionally, this status is assigned to Belgium, Bhutan, Great Britain, Denmark, Sweden, although the parliament has real power. The absolute monarchies are the Muslim states: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Brunei. In them, the ruler is not only the head of the country, but also the head of the church.
The republic, as a form of government, operates in approximately 140 countries of the world (gray on the map). Presidential powers prevail in the USA, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan. Parliamentary republics are Germany, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Israel.
A mixed form of government is valid in Ukraine, Croatia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Mongolia. Theocratic features of Iran, the Vatican, as well as Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Mauritania. They are most clearly manifested in Iran.