HISET Social Studies Practice

Which type of government is ruled by a king or queen?

1. A democracy

2. An oligarchy

3. A monarchy

4. A republic

The correct answer is: A monarchy

A monarchy is a form of government where a single person, either a king or queen, holds supreme authority and serves as the head of state, often for life and by hereditary right. In a monarchy, the power is usually consolidated within one individual or family, and this system can take various forms, including absolute monarchy, where the monarch has almost complete control, or constitutional monarchy, where they share power with an elected body or follow a constitution. In contrast, a democracy emphasizes participation by the people, either directly or through elected representatives. An oligarchy involves rule by a small group of individuals, often from the same socio-economic class or elite background, while a republic is defined by a representative system where officials are elected to represent the interests of the citizens. These other forms of government highlight how power is distributed and exercised among different groups, contrasting sharply with the centralized authority characteristic of a monarchy.