What is the difference between oligarchy and dictatorship

This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and rules for life or until abdication. Monarchs may be autocrats absolute monarchy or ceremonial heads of state who exercise little or no power or only reserve power, with actual authority vested in a parliament or other body such as a constitutional assembly. Monarchs have various titles — king or queen, prince or princess, Malik or Malikah, emperor or empress, duke or grand duke, and Shah.

Monarchy is associated with political or sociocultural hereditary rule; most monarchs, both historically and in the modern day, have been born and brought up within a royal family and trained for future duties. However, some monarchies are non-hereditary. In an elective monarchy, the monarch is elected but otherwise serves as any other monarch. Historical examples of elective monarchy include the Holy Roman Emperors and the free election of kings of the Polish—Lithuanian Commonwealth.

In a monarchy, the state is controlled by an individual who usually inherits the throne by birth. Monarchies have existed throughout the world, although in recent centuries many states have abolished the monarchy and become republics. Advocacy of republics is called republicanism, while advocacy of monarchies is called monarchism. As of in Europe, there are twelve monarchies: seven kingdoms, one grand duchy, one papacy, and two principalities, as well as the diarchy of Andorra. Oligarchy is a form of power structure in which power effectively rests with a small number of people.

These people could be distinguished by royalty, wealth, family ties, education, corporate, or military control. Such states are often controlled by a few prominent families who pass their influence from one generation to the next.

Forms of government and other political structures associated with oligarchy usually include aristocracy, meritocracy, plutocracy, military junta, technocracy, and theocracy. Aristocracy is a form of government in which a few elite citizens rule. In the origins in Ancient Greece, it was conceived of as rule by the best qualified citizens, and contrasted with monarchy.

In later times, aristocracy was usually seen as rule by a privileged group, the aristocratic class, and contrasted with democracy. Similarly, plutocracy is rule by the wealthy. Unlike systems such as democracy, plutocracy is not rooted in a political philosophy and has no advocates; the term is only used in a pejorative sense.

Ali Khamenei, depicted here, current holds the position of Supreme Leader in Iran. The Supreme Leader is a religious figure who has arguably the most political power in Iran. Technocracy is a form of government in which experts in technology would be in control of all decision making. Scientists, engineers, and technologists who have knowledge, expertise, or skills, would compose the governing body instead of politicians, businessmen, and economists.

In a technocracy, decision makers would be selected based upon how knowledgeable and skillful they are in their field. Theocracy is a form of government in which official policy is governed by immediate divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided, or is pursuant to the doctrine of a particular religion or religious group.

An Islamic state is a state that has adopted Islam, specifically Sharia Islamic Law , as its foundations for political institutions, or laws, exclusively, and has implemented the Islamic ruling system and is therefore a theocracy. Although there is much debate as to which states or groups operate strictly according to Islamic Law, Sharia is the official basis for state laws in the following countries: Yemen, Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Mauritania, Oman and Iran.

Privacy Policy. Skip to main content. American Politics. Search for:. Forms of Government. Forms of Government Forms of government are categorized by the power source and power structure of any given state. Learning Objectives Compare and contrast the various forms of government.

Key Takeaways Key Points Government is the means by which state policy is enforced, as well as the mechanism for determining the policy of the state. Examples include aristocracy, technocracy and meritocracy. Examples include authoritarian, totalitarian and fascist governments. An Oligarchy consists of a controlled election with one candidate ad the government oversees all decisions.

Unlike a democratic system, not only do the people have no say in what happens in their government, the military forces its ruling upon the citizens. Dictatorship naturally arises out of democracy, and the most aggravated form of tyranny and slavery out of the most extreme liberty.

As an American citizen, one has to vote. If we don't vote, we're not doing our part. We'll become some sort of oligarchy. Early 's: Rise of fascist type of dictatorships in Europe. Difference Between Dictatorship and Oligarchy Generally, a new type of government is established when its earlier alternative fails to fulfill the needs of citizens. Compare Autocracy Examples » More. Dictatorship vs Stratocracy. Dictatorship vs Chiefdom.

Dictatorship vs Kleptocracy. More More Compare Autocracy Examples. Comparison of Dictatorship vs Oligarchy Comparison of Dictatorship vs Oligarchy proves to be significant when we are studying different types of governments. Dictatorship vs Oligarchy History: Comparison of Dictatorship vs Oligarchy history tells us how these types of governments have evolved over time.

Dictatorship vs Oligarchy Characteristics: While comparing Dictatorship vs Oligarchy characterisitcs it is essential to consider the benefits and demerits of both the types of governments. Faster process for the system, Less room for corruption, Lesser crime rate are the advantages of Dictatorship whereas Oligarchy advantages are Individualism, Self empowerment for people, Voting for all matters. In a purely democratic society, all citizens would vote on all proposed legislation, and this is not how laws are passed in the United States.

There is a practical reason for this: a pure democracy would be hard to implement. Thus, the United States is a constitution-based federal republic in which citizens elect representatives to make policy decisions on their behalf.

The term representative democracy , which is virtually synonymous with republic , can also be used to describe a government in which citizens elect representatives to promote policies that favor their interests. In the United States, representatives are elected at local and state levels, and the votes of the Electoral College determine who will hold the office of president. Each of the three branches of the U. Nations are governed by different political systems, including monarchies, oligarchies, dictatorships, and democracies.

Generally speaking, citizens of nations wherein power is concentrated in one leader or a small group are more likely to suffer violations of civil liberties and experience economic inequality.

Many nations that are today organized around democratic ideals started out as monarchies or dictatorships but have evolved into more egalitarian systems. Democratic ideals, although hard to implement and achieve, promote basic human rights and justice for all citizens.

The Tea Party is among the highest-profile grassroots organizations active in U. What is its official platform? Balz, Dan. The Washington Post. Retrieved December 11, Dunbar, John October 18, Krugman, Paul. PBS Online. The American Experience. Schulz, Thomas.