 | Democracy | Monarchy |
|---|---|---|
| Constraints on the government | No; the majority can impose its will on the minority. Constitutional democracies may have some limits on government power. | In a monarchy, the King or Queen makes all the decision for the people (with the help of advisers). |
| Philosophy | In a democracy, the community of people are considered to hold power over how they are governed. Kings and tyrants are seen as threats to the innate rights of the people. As such, all eligible citizens get equal say in decisions. | Royal families were thought to have been selected by God. |
| Free Choice | Individuals may make decisions for themselves except insofar as a majority faction has limited individuals. | The king or queen makes the decisions for the country. |
| Key Elements | Free elections. Suffrage. Majority Rule. Protection of civil liberties and human rights. | Divine right of kings |
| Modern Examples | More than half of the world, including the US, Canada, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, etc. The United Kingdom is an example of a democratic country that is not a republic, since it has a monarch. | Oman, Swaziland, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Vatican City |
| Way of Change | Voting through regular free and fair elections. Peaceful transfer of power. | No way of certain way of change apart from overthrowing the royal family. |
| Disadvantages | Majorities can abuse minorities. Decision-making can be slow. Can be influenced by populism and demagoguery. | If the people don't like the rules set in place by the royal family, there is no changing it. |
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