We explain the difference between monarchy and democracy with table. Each nation is governed or led by a type of governing body also known as a government. It was done to uphold the law and generate rules and regulations. Supreme powers were given to a single person to handle everything under his authority
But eventually, people realized that if all powers were given to a single person commonly known as a monarch, he could dictate and abuse his powers instead of settling matters. This thought gave rise to the idea of democracy where the people themselves choose their government.
Democracy to date is considered the most efficient form of government. Democracy is a form of government widely chosen by the monarchy that is still found in certain parts of the world.
The monarchy is a form of government where all power is in the hands of a single person. The position is obtained by the hierarchy since his family previously could have ruled the nation. Democracy, on the other hand, is a form of government where the ruler is chosen by the people of the nation. He, along with the other organs of government, governs the nation.
The difference between monarchy and democracy is that in monarchy the monarch does not answer to the people of the nation and the people of the nation cannot question their actions, while in a democracy the key characteristics are that the government is accountable to the people and you may even question their policies.
Comparative table between monarchy and democracy
| Comparison parameter | Monarchy | Democracy |
| Rule | Headed by a monarch | Governed by a government chosen by the people |
| Decision | The monarch makes the decisions | The government makes the most important decisions taking into account the feedback of the people. |
| Responsibility | Not accountable to anyone | Accountable to all for their actions |
| Review | Criticism or questioning is not allowed | Open to criticism and questions |
| Oppression | Citizens face the oppression of the monarch | Citizens are not oppressed |
| Equality | People are not considered equal | All are considered equal |
| Practice | India, United States, France | United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia |
What is the monarchy?
The monarchy is a form of government or political system that grants a single person the undivided authority to rule or govern. The person who heads the monarchy is known as a monarch. The term monarchy is applied when the supreme authority of a state or country is in the hands of a monarch, who functions as head of state. The position of monarch is obtained mainly by inheritance.
The political rights and authority that are in the hand of the monarch vary: symbolic (crowned republic), restricted (constitutional monarch), and complete autocracy (absolute monarchy). It extends its powers through various forms, such as the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. Monarchs are often crowned with titles such as king, queen, emperor, raja, khan, sultan, etc.
The monarchy was the most common form of government until the 20th century. Eventually people have leaned more towards a democratic form of government, but still 45 sovereign nations have monarchy which includes 16 Commonwealth kingdoms that are ruled by Elizabeth II as head of state.
What is democracy?
Democracy is a form of government where the people of the nation have the authority to choose their government. The term democracy has been derived from the Greek word “demokratia” which was made from the word “demos” (people) and “kratos” (government) which means government of the peoples.
Democracy works on the principles of equality and freedom, freedom of assembly and expression, inclusion and equality, membership, consent, vote, right to life and privileges of minorities.
Additional democracy can be classified as direct democracy and representative democracy. Direct democracy is where the people calculate and decide directly on the legislation and representative democracy is when the people elect a representative who calculates and decides the legislation.
Main differences between monarchy and democracy
- The monarchy is headed by a monarch who is a succession of the family that already rules. It is a hierarchy, while democracy is a form of government that is headed by a ruler elected by the people.
- Decisions in a monarchy are made by the monarch, while in a democracy the government makes most of the decisions taking into account the suggestion of the citizens of its nation.
- In the monarchy, the monarch is at no cost accountable to the people for his actions or policies, while in a democracy the government in all ties is accountable to its nation.
- In a monarchy, the monarch is not open to criticism of any questions that are asked about policies, whereas in a democracy the government is open to criticism and has to answer questions that arise.
- In a monarchy, not all citizens are considered equal while in a democracy all citizens are equal before the law and cannot be discriminated against in any way.
- The citizens under the monarchy face the oppression of the monarch while the citizens under the democracy do not face the oppression of the leaders.
Final Thought
There are different forms of government that govern nations. Before the 20th century, the monarchy was the most preferred form of government, but as days went by, people discovered other forms of government such as democracy. Very quickly it became the most preferred form of government, as the people began by their rights and refused to continue being dictated by the monarch. Still today 45 sovereign nations are under the monarchy.
The monarchy is a form of government headed by the monarch who is elected by inheritance and not by choice of the people. He is not accountable to anyone for his actions, nor can anyone criticize or question his policies. Democracy, on the other hand, is a form of government where the leader is elected directly or indirectly by the people. Because he has been elected by the people, he is accountable to the people for his actions and, if desired, his policies can also be criticized or questioned.
