MODULE 4:
The Forms of Government
Introduction
This session is designed to guide you in analyzing
the Forms of Government.
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Pol. Sci. 101: Fundamentals of Political Science
TYPOLOGY OF GOVERNMENT BY ARISTOTLE
Monarchy
Aristotle says when a state is ruled by a single person and he runs the state for the
welfare and betterment of his subjects, it is Monarchy.
Monarchy is the first "right" constitution identified by Aristotle, is rule by a single
man who becomes a ruler through heredity.
Aristotle thought kings have the advantage of acting quickly and decisively in
emergencies. He gave priority to national interests over his personal wants and gives
attention to the suggestions of his subjects. In all his activities, the monarch gives
priority to general interests. Still, kings are subject to emotions and cannot handle
all necessary matters at once. For these reasons, Aristotle argued, kings should not
possess absolute power. They should be limited by the law.
Tyranny
When the ruler becomes corrupt and selfish, monarchy changes in Tyranny.
Tyranny, the corrupt form of kingship, is the first example of a "wrong"
constitution. Tyrants use force to oppress all others and are interested only in
their own personal gain.
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Pol. Sci. 101: Fundamentals of Political Science
In tyranny, the ruler is a single dictator who runs the state administration
according to his sweet will. The ruler himself is above any criticism and he is to
protect his personal interests.
So, in rule of one if the ruler is to work according to people needs, it is Monarchy
and its corrupt shape is called Tyranny.
Aristocracy
Aristotle also classified aristocracy as one of his "right" constitutions.
The ruling class with a group of few men of virtue and wealth and they run the state
for the welfare of the society, it is called Aristocracy.
In Aristotle's view, aristocrats are men of wealth and leisure who have developed
their minds so that they have superior intellects. They are to work for the promotion
of the general interests and wider national interests are considered superior.
Aristotle believed that these men would only rule for the benefit of all.
Oligarchy
When an aristocrat rules only for the benefit of the rich, it becomes an oligarchy,
another one of Aristotle's "wrong" constitutions.
Oligarchies were one of the common forms of government found in the Greek city-
states.
Polity
Aristotle called this moderate mixed constitution a polity and believed that it would
best serve the common interest of all citizens in most states.
In this kind of government, the middle class runs state administration and a large
number of citizens participate in this system. Administrators are elected
representatives of the people who run the state’s administration according to the
will and desires of the people.
Democracy
When this ruling class becomes corrupt and selfish, the Polity converts into
democracy.
Even though Athens was a democratic city-state, Aristotle was never a fan of
democracy and he included it as one of his "wrong" constitutions.
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Pol. Sci. 101: Fundamentals of Political Science
Aristotle believed democracy meant that every free-born man had the right and duty
to help rule the city. Thus, both rich and poor, educated and ignorant, intelligent
and dull-witted could attend the Assembly meetings, vote and hold public office.
Aristotle saw danger in this form of government. The poor majority would always be
able to outvote the wealthy and the best. He stated that democracy could easily
become a tyranny with many heads.
DIRECT AND REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY
Direct Democracy
Citizens make all the decisions. They gather frequently to vote on laws, regulations,
and appointments. There are no elected representatives.
Where people govern themselves directly and not through representatives.
Indirect/Representative Democracy
Citizens elect officials to act on their behalf.
If the officeholders disappoint or anger them, the citizens can choose new officials
at the next election. A regime that runs by representative democracy is known as a
Republic.
Direct Democracy Indirect Democracy
Most purely democratic form of Can take place in a much
government because the larger country; grants citizens
Strengths
people literally rule much more time to pursue
private interests
Difficult to form except in small Can be slow to respond to
communities; demands public opinion; sometimes
Weaknesses
constant attention from its defies public opinion
citizens
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Pol. Sci. 101: Fundamentals of Political Science
INSTITUTIONAL FORMS OF THE STATE
Parliamentary Government
It is a form of government in which the majority party in parliament constitutes
governmental power.
The executive powers and legislative powers are merged because the legislative
branch (parliament) elects the prime minister who serves as the executive branch of
government, or the "head of government."
In parliamentary systems, people elect only parliamentary members and not the
prime minister. Therefore, the executive branch cannot come to power or function
without the support of the legislative branch.
Under the parliamentary system, the head of state and head of the government are
separate.
Under a parliamentary system, heads of state have little political power and largely
perform ceremonial functions. Real political power belongs to the prime minister,
who is the head of government (the executive branch) and is elected by the
parliament (the legislative branch).
Parliamentary systems are divided into parliamentary monarchies and
parliamentary republics.
In parliamentary monarchies, as in the United Kingdom or Japan, the head of
state is a monarch (e.g., queen or emperor). Monarchs are not elected but assume
the office on the basis of heredity, usually when the previous monarch dies or
abdicates.
In parliamentary republics, like Germany or Italy, the head of state is a president
elected by parliaments or electoral colleges. Therefore, prime ministers, rather than
presidents, in parliamentary republics wield real political power.
Prime ministers are not appointed to terms of specific duration.
Prime ministers serve as long as they enjoy support of the parliamentary majority
(or resign).
The procedure of removing the prime minister from office is called a "vote of no
confidence," which is a political procedure used by the parliament to remove the
prime minister for any reason they deem necessary.
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Pol. Sci. 101: Fundamentals of Political Science
Thus, a prime minister can serve many or less than one parliament terms.
Presidential System
It is a democratic system of government characterized by separation of powers and
checks and balances between the executive and legislative branches.
Under the presidential government, voters separately elect the president and the
congress (legislature) for fixed terms.
The president cannot dissolve the congress, and the congress cannot dismiss the
president (unless for misconduct through the process called impeachment).
Under this system, the president is the head of state. He or she is also the head of
government. The head of government is the official heading the executive branch
and making the most important decisions in the country. The president is elected
directly by the people and is responsible to them, not to the congress.
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Pol. Sci. 101: Fundamentals of Political Science
Sources:
https://www.sparknotes.com/us-government-and-politics/political-science/politics-
and-political-science/section3/
https://study.com/academy/lesson/parliamentary-government-definition-examples-
advantages-disadvantages.html
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Pol. Sci. 101: Fundamentals of Political Science
