From the Rulers to the Ruled: Types of Governments — Class 7 Social Science
Exploring Society Part 1 · Chapter 9
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- Space weighted by chapter size
- Charts from the book's own data
- Traps corrected
- Space weighted by chapter size
- Charts from the book's own data
- Traps corrected
- Space weighted by chapter size
- Charts from the book's own data
- Traps corrected
Chapter summary
Key ideas & terms
- Democracy
- A form of government understood as the 'rule of the people', where the people are the source of power and authority.
- Universal adult franchise
- The right of every citizen above a certain age to vote and choose their representatives.
- Parliamentary democracy
- A representative democracy where members of the executive, like the prime minister and ministers, are also part of the legislature.
- Presidential democracy
- A representative democracy where the executive, headed by a president elected by the people, works independently of the legislature.
- Monarchy
- A government ruled by a monarch (king or queen), usually hereditary; it may be absolute or constitutional.
- Separation of powers
- The principle that the legislature, executive and judiciary work independently and do not interfere in one another's functions.
Extra questions & answers
What are the three functions of government?
The legislative function of making rules, the executive function of implementing them and administering the country, and the judicial function of ensuring the rules are followed.
What does democracy mean?
Democracy is best understood as the 'rule of the people', meaning that the source of power and authority lies with the people of the country.
What are some fundamental principles of democracy?
Equality, freedom, representative participation, universal adult franchise, fundamental rights of citizens and an independent judiciary.
How does direct democracy differ from representative democracy?
In a direct democracy all citizens take part in decisions directly, which is hard in large countries; in a representative democracy people elect representatives to govern on their behalf.
What is the difference between parliamentary and presidential democracy?
In a parliamentary democracy like India the executive is drawn from the legislature, while in a presidential democracy the president is separately elected and the executive works independently of the legislature.
What were the early republics in India?
In mahajanapadas like Vajji, especially the Lichchhavi clan, leaders were chosen by merit and key positions filled through elections, making them early republics.
What do the Uttaramerur inscriptions tell us?
These 10th-century Chola inscriptions from Tamil Nadu describe village sabha elections, including sealed ballot boxes, qualifications and duties of members, and conditions such as corruption that could lead to dismissal.
What is the difference between absolute and constitutional monarchy?
In an absolute monarchy the monarch holds complete power over making, enforcing and judging laws, while in a constitutional monarchy the monarch has only nominal power and real power lies with an elected parliament and prime minister.
What is a theocracy?
A form of government where the country is ruled by the rules of religion and by religious leaders, as in Iran, whose Supreme Leader holds ultimate authority.
Why is democracy widely considered better than other forms?
Because it provides universal adult franchise, equality, freedom of speech, separation of powers and a focus on the wellbeing of all citizens, and lets people change their representatives through elections.
The Big Questions
1. What are the different types of government?
There are several types of government such as democracy (direct democracy and representative democracy including parliamentary democracy and presidential democracy), monarchy (absolute monarchy and constitutional monarchy), theocracy, dictatorship and oligarchy.
2. Where do governments get their power from?
Governments get their power from different sources. In a democracy the people are the source of authority and power. In a theocracy the source is religious beliefs and religious leaders, while in a monarchy it is hereditary succession and in a dictatorship it is force and control by one person or a small group.
3. How does a country’s government interact with the people?
The government makes rules (legislative function), implements them and administers the country (executive function), and ensures rules are followed (judicial function). In a democracy it does this to maintain law and order, provide services like education and health, protect rights and work for the welfare of all, and it remains accountable to the people who elect it.
4. Why does democracy matter?
Democracy matters because it is based on equality, freedom, representative participation, universal adult franchise and protection of fundamental rights. People can choose their representatives, express opinions and change the government if it does not perform, which helps ensure the government works for the wellbeing and prosperity of all citizens.
LET'S EXPLORE
Do you remember this picture from your Grade 6 textbook?
The picture in Fig. 9.2 shows various functions of government that we studied in Grade 6, such as transport and railways, road construction, healthcare, defence and security, management of the economy, administration, education, communication and postal services, and maintaining national institutions like Parliament.
The government also has many other roles. Try to list them.
Other important roles of the government include providing clean drinking water, sanitation, electricity, public transport, maintaining law and order through police, delivering justice through courts, conducting foreign relations, managing natural resources, disaster management, conducting census, issuing documents, and planning for development and welfare schemes.
THINK ABOUT IT
The school example helps us to understand the concept of representation and how it works. However, the students’ committee is different from Parliamentary and Legislative committees, as class representatives in a school are quite different from Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). What are these differences? Discuss with your teacher in the classroom and make a list.
A class representative represents only a small class of 30-50 students of similar age in one school and deals with day-to-day school matters like timetable and cleanliness, while an MP or MLA represents lakhs of people of diverse backgrounds in a large constituency, state or the whole country and makes laws and policies for the nation or state. MPs and MLAs are elected through formal constitutional elections with legal qualifications, work in the Legislature, are accountable under the Constitution and have much greater powers and responsibilities than a student committee member.
LET'S EXPLORE
Which of the three methods do you think is most effective? Why?
The third method where students choose their representatives through voting is the most effective. It is democratic because every grade gets representation, students can choose someone they trust to voice their needs, decisions can be taken efficiently by a small representative group, and it ensures participation, fairness and accountability, unlike the other two methods which are either unmanageable or undemocratic.
LET'S EXPLORE
Fill the blank columns under Country A and Country B in table 9.1 given on the previous page by taking two different countries of your choice.
An example choice can be: Country A - United Kingdom: Executive is prime minister and the council of ministers, Legislature has Upper House (House of Lords) and Lower House (House of Commons) where the Lower House is more powerful, Judiciary is independent. Country B - France: Executive is president with prime minister, Legislature is bicameral with National Assembly (Lower) and Senate (Upper), Judiciary is independent. Students can choose any other democratic countries and fill the executive, legislature and judiciary structure from reference material.
Analyse the table and discuss amongst yourselves the similarities and differences in all the examples.
Similarities: All four examples in the table and the chosen examples have an independent judiciary and universal adult franchise, and the legislature generally has two houses. Differences: Some are parliamentary democracies like India and Australia where the prime minister is part of the legislature, while others are presidential democracies like the USA and South Korea where the president is separate from the legislature. The balance of power between Upper and Lower Houses and the title of the legislature also differs from country to country.
LET'S EXPLORE
After studying the above examples, list the core principles of a democratic government. Based on your understanding, do the activity given below:
The core principles of a democratic government are equality, freedom, representative participation, universal adult franchise, fundamental rights for citizens, independent judiciary, accountability of the government to the people, regular free and fair elections, and separation of powers among legislature, executive and judiciary.
You have to form a Student Committee in your school. Make a plan and execute it in a democratic manner, ensuring that: Functions of the committee are well defined The election process of the committee members is democratic
Plan: First clearly define the functions of the Student Committee such as maintaining discipline, organizing sports and cultural programmes, managing mid-day meal and cleanliness, and collecting students’ suggestions. Second, conduct a democratic election by announcing vacancies grade-wise, allowing nominations, campaigning with speeches, holding secret ballot voting where every student votes, counting votes transparently, and declaring winners. The elected representatives from each class will form the committee, meet regularly, take decisions by discussion and majority, and remain accountable to all students and the Head Teacher.
THINK ABOUT IT
What might happen if the king considered himself to have divine powers? How would he rule over the people?
If a king believes he has divine powers, he may consider himself above all laws and not accountable to anyone. He would likely rule as an absolute monarch, make laws without consulting advisors or people, ignore dharma and justice, suppress dissent, demand total obedience, and could become unjust and exploitative. The Bhishma teaching and the story of King Chandrapida show that good rajdhharma requires humility, respect for people’s rights and welfare, not pride in divine status.
LET'S EXPLORE
Does Shane’s country look like a democracy?
No, Shane’s country which is North Korea does not look like a democracy. The government controls every aspect of life including military service, haircut, clothes, access to internet and surveillance, which shows absence of freedom, equality and choice. It is an example of a dictatorship.
How do you think Shane’s everyday life would be?
Shane’s everyday life would be highly controlled and lacking freedom. He has to follow strict rules about appearance and behaviour, serve in compulsory military service for as long as the government wants, cannot use global internet or learn about the outside world, and lives under constant watch with pressure to report others. He cannot make personal choices freely.
Would you like to live in such a country? Explain why.
No, most people would not like to live in such a country because it denies basic human rights like freedom of speech, expression, choice of clothing and hairstyle, and access to information. Democracy allows people to live with dignity, make their own choices, and hold the government accountable, which is essential for happiness and development.
LET'S EXPLORE
Look carefully at the picture in Fig. 9.13 on the previous page. It depicts an elected body in the USA in the late 19th century. The people shown in the cartoon are all elected members. What do you observe? What do you see at the top left-hand corner of the cartoon? Who do you think is making decisions in this elected body?
In the cartoon, the elected members are shown as small figures at the bottom while a few wealthy businessmen are shown as giant figures sitting above them at the top left, towering over the legislature. This shows that although members are elected, the real power and decision-making is in the hands of a small group of rich and influential people, which is an oligarchic situation where money influences politics.
Can a democracy turn into an oligarchy? What can people do to keep democracy strong?
Yes, a democracy can turn into an oligarchy if a small group of politicians and wealthy businesspeople control the government, elections become unfair, or people stop participating. To keep democracy strong people should vote in every election, stay informed, exercise freedom of speech, demand transparency and accountability, respect the independence of the judiciary, and participate actively in civic life.
LET'S EXPLORE
You have learnt the basic characteristics of various forms of governments. Do a small role play of the various forms in your classroom: Enact democracy
For democracy, students can role play an election: candidates give speeches, all classmates vote by secret ballot, votes are counted openly and the elected representative forms a committee that discusses and decides by majority, showing equality and participation.
You have learnt the basic characteristics of various forms of governments. Do a small role play of the various forms in your classroom: Enact monarchy
For monarchy, one student acts as a king or queen who inherits the throne from family, makes all rules without voting, and others must obey. Advisors may give suggestions but the monarch has final power, showing hereditary and absolute control.
You have learnt the basic characteristics of various forms of governments. Do a small role play of the various forms in your classroom: Enact dictatorship
For dictatorship, one student acts as a dictator who seizes power, bans opposition, does not follow a constitution, gives orders without consultation, and punishes anyone who disagrees, showing absence of freedom and lack of accountability.
What do you find to be the most suitable form of government?
Democracy is found to be the most suitable form of government because it ensures equality, freedom, protection of rights, participation of all, and the ability to change leaders peacefully. It works for the wellbeing of all citizens and keeps the government accountable to the people.
Questions and activities
1. Write names of the various types of government that you have learnt in the chapter.
The various types of government discussed are democracy (direct democracy and representative democracy which includes parliamentary democracy and presidential democracy), monarchy (absolute monarchy and constitutional monarchy), theocracy, dictatorship and oligarchy. Early republics are also mentioned as an ancient form.
2. Which type of Government does India have? And why is that called that type?
India has a representative parliamentary democracy and is also a republic. It is called a democracy because power lies with the people who elect their representatives through universal adult franchise. It is representative because people do not directly govern but choose MPs and MLAs, and it is parliamentary because the executive (prime minister and council of ministers) is part of and accountable to the legislature (Parliament and Lok Sabha).
3. You read that an independent judiciary is present in all types of democracies. State any three reasons why you think it is important for the judiciary to be independent.
An independent judiciary is important because: 1. It protects fundamental rights of citizens against violation by government or others. 2. It ensures that laws are followed equally by all people and all organs of government and delivers justice without bias or pressure. 3. It maintains separation of powers by checking the legislature and executive if they exceed their powers or act unconstitutionally.
4. Do you think democratic government is better than other forms of government? Why?
Yes, democratic government is generally considered better because it ensures universal adult franchise, equality before law, freedom of speech and choice, accountability of leaders through regular elections, and works for the prosperity of all. Unlike monarchy, theocracy, dictatorship or oligarchy where power is concentrated in a few hands and freedoms are restricted, democracy allows people to participate, correct mistakes and protect their rights, though it needs vigilance against corruption and misuse.
5. These are some practices in a few different countries. Can you match the practice with the type of government? I. All citizens are treated equally before law
Democracy
5. These are some practices in a few different countries. Can you match the practice with the type of government? II. The government refers to the religious leader for each and every decision it takes.
Theocracy
5. These are some practices in a few different countries. Can you match the practice with the type of government? III. After the queen’s death, her son became the new king.
Monarchy
5. These are some practices in a few different countries. Can you match the practice with the type of government? IV. The ruler is not bound to follow any Constitution. He makes all the decisions as per his choice.
Dictatorship
6. Below is a list of countries. Find out the types of government these countries have: 1. Bhutan
Bhutan is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. The king is the head of state with limited constitutional powers while elected parliament holds real power.
6. Below is a list of countries. Find out the types of government these countries have: 2. Nepal
Nepal is a federal parliamentary democratic republic. It abolished monarchy in 2008 and now has an elected president and parliament.
6. Below is a list of countries. Find out the types of government these countries have: 3. Bangladesh
Bangladesh is a parliamentary democratic republic with an elected parliament and prime minister as head of government.
6. Below is a list of countries. Find out the types of government these countries have: 4. South Africa
South Africa is a parliamentary republic with aspects of presidential system. It has a president elected by parliament who is both head of state and head of government, and an independent judiciary.
6. Below is a list of countries. Find out the types of government these countries have: 5. Brazil
Brazil is a federal presidential democratic republic where the president is directly elected and is both head of state and head of government.
7. What are possible hurdles in a democracy in achieving its values and ideals? How can they be overcome?
Possible hurdles include corruption, wealth inequality and disparity, excessive control by a small group over institutions leading to oligarchic tendencies, loss of independence of judiciary, spread of fake information and manipulation of media, and low participation of citizens. They can be overcome by active citizen participation, free and fair elections, strong independent institutions, rule of law, free press, education and awareness, transparency and accountability, and vigilance by people and civil society.
8. Democracy is different from monarchy and dictatorship. Explain.
Democracy is rule of the people where leaders are elected through universal adult franchise, power is separated among legislature, executive and independent judiciary, rights and freedoms are protected and government is accountable. Monarchy is hereditary rule by a king or queen, which in absolute form concentrates all power in one family, while dictatorship is rule by one person or small group without constitutional limits, banning opposition and denying freedoms. In both monarchy and dictatorship people cannot change rulers freely, equality and freedom are limited, whereas democracy ensures participation and wellbeing of all.