From the Rulers to the Ruled Types of Governments Class 7 Free Notes and Mind Map (Free PDF Download)

1. Introduction

Government plays an essential role in running a country and ensuring the welfare of its people. If we look at ancient Indian wisdom, Kautilya’s Arthaśhāstra talks about three main duties of a ruler: protecting people from external threats, maintaining law and order within the country, and safeguarding people’s welfare.

Different countries have different types of governments. These differences exist because of variations in history, culture and the aspirations of people. In this notes, we will study different types of governments, where they get their power from, how they interact with people, and why democracy is so imp.

India is a democracy, but many other forms of government exist around the world. Understanding these different types of governments will help students appreciate the role democracy plays in their daily lives.

2. What is Government and Its Functions?

A government performs many imp functions for its citizens:

It maintains law and order to ensure peace and stability in society
It manages national defence to protect the country from external threats
It delivers essential services like education, healthcare and infrastructure
It oversees the economy and economic activities to promote prosperity
It works to improve people’s lives and ensure their welfare
It handles relationships with other countries to maintain global harmony

The functions of government can be divided into three main categories:

Creating rules – This is the legislative function which forms the framework of the country
Implementing rules – This is the executive function which manages the daily administration
Ensuring rule compliance – This is the judicial function which upholds justice

All these functions work together to ensure that a country runs smoothly and that citizens can live their lives peacefully.

3. What is Democracy?

The word democracy comes from two Greek words: ‘demos’ meaning ‘people’ and ‘kratos’ meaning ‘power or rule’. So democracy literally means “rule of the people”. In a democracy, citizens are the source of power.

In a democratic system, people elect their representatives to govern on their behalf. Let me explain this with a simple example from school life:

Imagine a school wants to form a student committee. There are three ways this could happen:

All students directly participate in the committee (which would be inefficient, like direct democracy)
The head teacher selects the committee members (which excludes student voices, like non-democratic systems)
Students elect representatives to form the committee (which ensures fair representation, mirroring democracy)

Abraham Lincoln, a former US President, gave a famous definition of democracy as “government of the people, by the people, for the people”. This means that in a democracy:

The government is formed by the people
It is run by the people (through their elected representatives)
It works for the welfare of the people

Democratic representatives create, implement and enforce rules, and they remain accountable to the citizens who elected them.

4. Key Differences Between Governments

Governments across the world differ from each other in several ways:

Source of Authority:

In democracies, people are the source of authority through elections
In theocracies, religious beliefs and leaders provide authority
In monarchies, authority comes from royal lineage

Method of Formation:

Democracies form governments through regular elections
Monarchies rely on hereditary succession
Dictatorships may form through military coups or other non-democratic means

Structure of Government:

In democracies, the legislative, executive and judicial roles are often separated
In monarchies, these roles may be combined with the monarch having final say
In dictatorships, all power typically rests with the dictator or ruling party

Goals of Government:

Democracies aim for equality and prosperity for all citizens
Other forms of government may favor specific groups or individuals

Rules and Constitution:

Democracies have constitutions that outline rules for everyone including leaders
In monarchies, the monarch may decide rules without much limitation
In dictatorships, rules often change based on the dictator’s wishes

These differences shape how governments function and how citizens experience life under them.

5. Fundamental Principles of Democracy

Democratic governments around the world are based on certain fundamental principles:

Equality:

All citizens are treated equally before the law
Every citizen has equal access to facilities like education and healthcare
Social, economic, and political equality is promoted

Freedom:

Citizens have the freedom to make choices and express opinions
Freedom of speech, assembly and association are protected
Freedom to practice any religion or no religion at all

Representative Participation:

Citizens elect representatives through regular elections
Universal adult franchise gives all adults the right to vote
Representatives are accountable to the citizens

Fundamental Rights:

Rights like equality, free speech and protection from exploitation are safeguarded
These rights cannot be taken away arbitrarily
An independent judiciary protects these rights

Independent Judiciary:

The judiciary is separate from the executive and legislative branches
It protects citizens’ rights and ensures compliance with laws
It provides a check on the power of the government

These principles have evolved over time. For example, India had universal franchise right from 1950 when our Constitution came into effect, but Switzerland only granted women the right to vote in 1971. Democracies strive for these ideals, but achieving them fully remains a challenge even today.

6. Types of Democratic Governments

Direct Democracy

In direct democracy, citizens directly participate in decision-making and governance. This means:

People vote on policies and laws themselves
There are no elected representatives as middlemen
Every citizen has a direct say in governance

This type of democracy is practiced on small scales, like in some parts of Switzerland where people gather in town squares to vote on local issues. However, it’s impractical for large countries because:

Direct participation by millions of people would be chaotic
Decision-making would be extremely slow and complex
Not all citizens have the time or expertise to make informed decisions on every issue

Representative Democracy

In representative democracy, citizens elect representatives through universal adult franchise to govern on their behalf. This is how it works:

Elections occur regularly (every five years in India, four in the USA)
Elected representatives make decisions on behalf of the people
These representatives are accountable to the people
If people are unhappy with their representatives, they can vote them out in the next election

Most modern democracies, including India, are representative democracies. Universal suffrage (the right of all adult citizens to vote) evolved gradually around the world:

UK achieved it in 1928
USA achieved it in 1965 with the Voting Rights Act
India had it from the beginning in 1950

Forms of Representative Democracy

Representative democracies can be organized in different ways:

Parliamentary Democracy:

The executive (prime minister and ministers) is part of the legislature
The council of ministers needs the legislature’s confidence to govern
In India, the Lok Sabha’s confidence is essential for the council of ministers
People elect the legislature, and selected legislators become ministers
Examples include India, UK, Australia and Japan

Presidential Democracy:

The executive (president) is independent of the legislature
The president is directly elected and does not need legislative confidence
The president appoints ministers who are not part of the legislature
Examples include USA and South Korea

Democratic Structures

Democracies also differ in their structure:

In India, the Lok Sabha (lower house) is more powerful than the Rajya Sabha (upper house)
In the USA and Australia, both houses (Senate and House of Representatives) have equal power
South Korea has a single-house legislature called the National Assembly

The judiciary is independent in all democracies, ensuring separation of powers. This prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful.

States within countries can have their own governments too, like Rajasthan in India has its own government under the Union Government. This is called federalism.

Here’s a table comparing different democratic systems:

Feature	Parliamentary Democracy	Presidential Democracy
Head of Government	Prime Minister	President
Selection Method	Elected by majority party/coalition in legislature	Directly elected by people
Relationship with Legislature	Part of legislature	Separate from legislature
Accountability	Can be removed by no-confidence vote	Fixed term, difficult to remove
Examples	India, UK, Australia	USA, South Korea

7. Historical Examples of Democratic Practices

Democracy isn’t a new concept. There are many historical examples of democratic practices:

Ancient Indian Republics:

Ancient Indian mahajanapadas, like the Vajji’s Lichchhavi clan, were early republics
Leaders were elected based on merit, not birth
They practiced collective decision-making in a sabha (assembly)
Representatives from different clans met regularly to address issues

Chola Period Village Democracy:

The Uttaramerur inscriptions from the Chola period detail village sabha elections
These elections used sealed ballot boxes
There were clear qualifications for members and rules for dismissal
Corruption led to immediate removal of sabha members

Ancient Greece and Rome:

Both had forms of republic government
However, voting was limited to free men
Women, workers and slaves were excluded from voting
These were limited democracies compared to modern standards

These historical examples show that democratic ideas have existed across cultures and times, though they’ve evolved significantly over the centuries.

8. Other Forms of Government

Monarchy

A monarchy is ruled by a king or queen, often through hereditary succession. The monarch holds sovereign power:

Ancient Indian Monarchies:

In ancient India, many mahajanapadas had kings
These kings were guided by institutions like sabhā or samiti
Kings relied on ministers, officials and scholars for governance
Indian kings followed rājadharma, which prioritized people’s welfare and justice

Divine Right of Kings:

Some global monarchs claimed divine power
This gave them absolute control over their kingdoms
They were seen as god’s representatives on earth

Just Governance:

The Mahābhārata’s Bhishma taught Yudhisthira about just governance
A raja must rule fairly, avoid ego and seek wise advisors
In Rajatarangini, King Chandrapiḍa respected a cobbler’s rights, showing dharma

There are two main types of monarchy:

Absolute Monarchy:

The monarch has complete control over laws and governance
They may have advisors but make final decisions
Saudi Arabia’s king rules according to Islamic law, advised but not bound by a council

Constitutional Monarchy:

The monarch has nominal or ceremonial power
Real power is held by elected officials
The UK’s king is largely ceremonial, with the prime minister and parliament governing

Theocracy

A theocracy is governed by religious rules and leaders:

The government is based on religious principles
Religious leaders often have significant power
Examples include Iran, Afghanistan and Vatican City

Iran’s Islamic Republic:

Combines elements of theocracy and democracy
The Supreme Leader, chosen by clerics, holds ultimate authority for life
An elected president and parliament handle daily governance
All laws must conform to Islamic principles

Dictatorship

In a dictatorship, one person or group holds absolute power without legal limits:

There are no free elections
Opposition is usually suppressed
Basic freedoms are often denied

Historical Examples:

Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany eliminated all opposition, caused the Holocaust and World War II
Idi Amin’s Uganda saw mass killings and forced Indian migrants to flee

Modern Example:

North Korea has very strict rules that limit personal freedoms
Citizens cannot freely access information or express opinions
Even personal choices like hairstyles may be controlled

Oligarchy

An oligarchy is rule by a small, powerful group:

Often wealthy families or elites make decisions
Power is concentrated among few individuals
Ancient Greek aristocrats ruled as oligarchies
Modern democracies may show oligarchic traits when elites dominate politics

Here’s a comparison table of different government types:

Government Type	Power Source	Citizen Rights	Examples
Democracy	Citizens through voting	Extensive rights, equality	India, USA, UK
Absolute Monarchy	Royal lineage	Limited, at monarch’s discretion	Saudi Arabia
Constitutional Monarchy	Constitution, with royal figurehead	Similar to democracy	UK, Japan
Theocracy	Religious doctrine	Based on religious laws	Iran, Vatican City
Dictatorship	Force, military	Very limited, no opposition allowed	North Korea
Oligarchy	Wealthy/powerful elite	Limited, benefits elites	Ancient Greek aristocracies

9. Why Democracy Matters

Democracy is widely preferred around the world for several imp reasons:

Ensures Citizens’ Rights:

Unlike dictatorships or absolute monarchies, democracies guarantee rights
Citizens have universal adult franchise – everyone gets to vote
Freedom of speech is protected, unlike in places like North Korea

Promotes Equality:

Democracies promote equality among citizens
Other systems often favor elites or specific groups
All citizens have equal rights before law

Separation of Powers:

Democratic systems separate legislative, executive and judicial powers
This prevents concentration of power in one person’s hands
The independent judiciary protects citizens’ rights

Focus on Citizen Welfare:

Democracies prioritize the well-being of all citizens
Elected representatives must work for people’s benefit to get re-elected
Citizens can change governments through elections if performance is poor

Personal Freedoms:

Democracy allows personal freedoms in speech, dress and beliefs
These freedoms are only limited when they harm others
Citizens can live with dignity and make their own choices

Today, over half the world’s countries are democracies because of these benefits. However, democracies face challenges:

Corruption can undermine democratic institutions
Wealth disparity may give some citizens more influence than others
Erosion of judicial independence threatens checks and balances

Citizens must remain vigilant to minimize these hurdles and uphold democratic ideals. Democracy isn’t just a form of government – it’s a way of life based on equality, freedom and respect for all.

Democracy isn’t perfect, but as Winston Churchill famously said, “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others that have been tried.” It gives power to the people and protects their rights better than any other system we know.

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10. Questions and Activities

Write the names of the various types of government that you have learnt in the chapter.

The main types of government include democracy, monarchy, theocracy, dictatorship, and oligarchy. These differ in how power is obtained, structured, and exercised. Democracy is the most widely adopted system globally.

Which type of government does India have? And why is it called that type?

India follows a parliamentary democracy. In this system, the executive branch (led by the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers) is accountable to the legislature (Parliament). The government must maintain the confidence of the Lok Sabha (Lower House), and representatives are elected by citizens through universal adult franchise every five years.

An independent judiciary is essential in democracies. State three reasons why.

Protection of Fundamental Rights: Ensures citizens’ rights (like equality and free speech) are safeguarded against government overreach.
Upholding Rule of Law: Guarantees fair and impartial application of laws, maintaining justice.
Preventing Interference: Keeps the judiciary free from executive or legislative control, ensuring accountability (unlike in dictatorships where rulers influence judgments).

Is a democratic government better than other forms of government? Justify your answer.

Yes, democracy is preferable because:
- It allows universal adult franchise, giving citizens voting rights (unlike monarchies/dictatorships).
- It ensures equality and freedom of speech (absent in theocracies/oligarchies).
- It prioritizes public welfare through accountability (e.g., elections), unlike absolute monarchies (e.g., Saudi Arabia). However, challenges like corruption require constant vigilance.

Match the practices with the correct type of government. Practice Government Type I. All citizens treated equally before law Democracy II. Religious leader guides government decisions Theocracy III. Son succeeds queen as ruler Monarchy IV. Ruler ignores constitution, makes unilateral decisions Dictatorship
Identify the types of government in these countries:

Bhutan: Constitutional monarchy (king + elected parliament).
Nepal: Parliamentary democracy (since 2008).
Bangladesh: Parliamentary democracy.
South Africa: Parliamentary democracy (president elected by assembly).
Brazil: Presidential democracy (directly elected president).

What are the major challenges democracies face in achieving their ideals? How can they be addressed?

Hurdles:
- Corruption erodes public trust.
- Wealth inequality leads to elite dominance.
- Judicial interference weakens fairness.
Solutions:
- Civic vigilance and electoral accountability.
- Transparent governance and anti-corruption laws.
- Strengthening media freedom and judicial independence.

How is democracy different from monarchy and dictatorship?

Democracy: Power comes from the people (elections), e.g., India. Ensures rights, equality, and checks on power.
Monarchy: Hereditary rule (e.g., Saudi Arabia’s absolute monarchy or UK’s constitutional monarchy). Limited public participation.
Dictatorship: One-person/group rule (e.g., Hitler’s Germany). Suppresses freedoms and lacks accountability.

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