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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Dictatorship and Monarchy?

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The main difference between a dictatorship and a monarchy lies in the source of the ruler's authority and the level of power they hold.

In a dictatorship:

  • A ruler or a small group holds absolute power over the people, often through force.
  • The dictator is not submissive or accountable to any other individual or a group of leaders.
  • The term "dictator" has been derived from an office in Rome, which was only a temporary position held by one person to have the absolute authority to make the final decisions.

In a monarchy:

  • Authority over the people is retained through a trade of allegiance.
  • The monarch, a king or queen, is the head of the government, and succession usually takes place as a matter of heredity, i.e., only the members of the royal family can succeed in becoming the king or queen.
  • Power can be shared by a body of aristocrats or even religious leaders.
  • Monarchies often imply a mythology and almost always a legitimate constitutional order in which the monarch sits for life.

In summary, while both dictatorships and monarchies have a single person or a small group as the ruler, a dictatorship involves absolute power held by the ruler, often through force, whereas a monarchy involves a ruler with authority derived from a trade of allegiance and often involving a legitimate constitutional order.

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  • What is the Difference Between Dictatorship and Monarchy?
  • Comparative Table: Dictatorship vs Monarchy

    • Comparative Table: Dictatorship vs Monarchy

    Here is a table comparing the differences between a dictatorship and a monarchy:

    Feature Dictatorship Monarchy
    Definition A dictatorship is a system of governance where a single person, called the dictator, has full control and power over the country. A monarchy is a system of governance where a monarch, such as a king or queen, is the head of the government and holds absolute power.
    Power Source The dictator gains power through force or manipulation. The monarch inherits power through a hereditary system, passing from one generation to another within the royal family.
    Rule of Law In a dictatorship, the dictator holds absolute power and can make and enforce laws without any consultation or checks and balances. In a monarchy, the monarch's power is limited by established laws and traditional customs, and they are expected to act in the best interest of the country.
    Examples Adolf Hitler (Nazi Germany), Benito Mussolini (Fascist Italy), and Saddam Hussein (Iraq) are examples of dictators. European monarchies, such as the United Kingdom, Spain, and Sweden, are examples of monarchies.

    While both systems have a single ruler at the top, the main differences lie in how the ruler gains and maintains power, and the extent to which their power is checked or limited by laws and customs.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.