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From the Rulers to the Ruled: Types of Governments – Class 7 Social Science notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 7 Social Science, chapter 9. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

Governments differ in who holds power and how rulers are chosen. In a monarchy a king or queen rules; in a dictatorship one person or group holds absolute power; in a theocracy religious leaders rule; in an oligarchy a small group rules; and in a democracy the people rule through elected representatives. India is a democratic republic.

Types of government

Monarchy: power passes within a royal family; it may be absolute or constitutional (where the monarch is only a symbolic head, as in the United Kingdom).
Dictatorship: one person or a small group rules without free elections and often limits people's rights.
Theocracy: government by religious leaders according to religious law.
Oligarchy: a small group of powerful people, such as the rich or military leaders, controls the government.

Democracy

In a direct democracy, citizens themselves vote on decisions; in a representative democracy they elect representatives.
A democracy has free and fair elections, rule of law, rights for citizens and an independent judiciary.
A republic is a state whose head is elected, not hereditary; India's President is elected.

Why democracy is valued

It gives every adult an equal vote and protects rights such as freedom of speech.
It allows peaceful change of government and makes rulers accountable to the ruled.

Key terms

Monarchy: a system in which a king or queen rules and power is hereditary
Dictatorship: a system in which one person or group holds absolute power without free elections
Democracy: government by the people, directly or through elected representatives
Republic: a state whose head is elected rather than hereditary

Important questions with answers

What is the difference between a monarchy and a republic?2 marks

In a monarchy, the head of state is a king or queen who gets the position by birth, and power is hereditary. In a republic, the head of state is elected for a fixed term, as India's President is.

What are the main features of a democracy?3 marks

In a democracy, people elect their representatives through free and fair elections in which every adult has one vote. There is rule of law, citizens enjoy rights such as freedom of speech, the judiciary is independent, and the government is accountable to the people and can be changed peacefully.

Compare different types of government and explain why most people prefer democracy.5 marks

In a monarchy, a king or queen rules and power passes within the family; in an absolute monarchy the ruler has unlimited power, while in a constitutional monarchy, such as the United Kingdom, elected representatives govern. In a dictatorship, one person or a small group rules without free elections and often suppresses opposition and limits rights. In a theocracy, religious leaders rule according to religious law, and in an oligarchy a small powerful group controls the state. In a democracy, power lies with the people, who elect representatives in free and fair elections; there is rule of law, protection of rights and an independent judiciary. Most people prefer democracy because it treats all citizens as equal, protects their freedoms, allows them to criticise and change their rulers peacefully, and makes the government accountable to the ruled. India is a democratic republic in which people elect their governments and the President is elected.

Quick revision

Monarchy, dictatorship, theocracy, oligarchy, democracy.
Direct vs representative democracy.
Republic = elected head of state.
Democracy makes rulers accountable.

Exam tips

For each type, remember who holds power and how rulers are chosen.
India is both a democracy and a republic: people elect representatives and the head of state is elected.

Practice MCQs

A system in which a king or queen rules is a
1. monarchy
2. democracy
3. republic
4. theocracy
Show answer
Answer: (a) monarchy. Power is hereditary.
India is a
1. democratic republic
2. monarchy
3. dictatorship
4. theocracy
Show answer
Answer: (a) democratic republic. Its people elect representatives and the President is elected.
In a representative democracy, people
1. elect representatives to take decisions
2. obey a king
3. have no vote
4. are ruled by priests
Show answer
Answer: (a) elect representatives to take decisions. Representatives act for citizens.
Government by religious leaders according to religious law is called
1. oligarchy
2. federation
3. monarchy
4. theocracy
Show answer
Answer: (d) theocracy. Religion is the basis of rule.
A state whose head is elected rather than hereditary is a
1. monarchy
2. empire
3. republic
4. dynasty
Show answer
Answer: (c) republic. India's President is elected.
The United Kingdom is an example of a
1. dictatorship
2. direct democracy
3. theocracy
4. constitutional monarchy
Show answer
Answer: (d) constitutional monarchy. The monarch is a symbolic head; Parliament governs.
Which is a key feature of a democracy but not of a dictatorship
1. a strong army
2. banning of opposition
3. a single ruler for life
4. free and fair elections with peaceful change of government
Show answer
Answer: (d) free and fair elections with peaceful change of government. People can change rulers by voting.
In which system do citizens themselves vote directly on laws
1. representative democracy
2. oligarchy
3. direct democracy
4. absolute monarchy
Show answer
Answer: (c) direct democracy. Small communities can practise it.

All chapters of Class 7 Social Science

Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.