Monarchy

monarchy, political system based upon the undivided sovereignty or rule

of a single person. The term applies to states in which supreme authority
is vested in the monarch, an individual ruler who functions as the head of
state and who achieves his or her position through heredity. Most
monarchies allow only male succession, usually from father to son.
Functions of monarchies

A monarchy consists of distinct but interdependent institutions—a

government and a state administration on the one hand, and a court and
a variety of ceremonies on the other—that provide for the social life of the
members of the dynasty, their friends, and the associated elite. Monarchy
thus entails not only a political-administrative organization but also a
“court society,” a term coined by the 20th-century German-born
sociologist Norbert Elias to designate various groups of nobility (like
the British nobility) that are linked to the monarchical dynasty (or “royal”
house, as with the House of Windsor) through a web of personal bonds.
All such bonds are evident in symbolic and ceremonial proprieties.

During a given society’s history there are certain changes and processes
that create conditions conducive to the rise of monarchy. Because warfare
was the main means of acquiring fertile land and trade routes, some of
the most prominent monarchs in the ancient world made their initial mark
as warrior-leaders. Thus, the military accomplishments of Octavian
(later Augustus) led to his position as emperor and to the institution of
monarchy in the Roman Empire. Infrastructural programs and state-
building also contributed to the development of monarchies. The need,
common in arid cultures, to allocate fertile land and manage a regime of
fresh water distribution (what the German American historian Karl
Wittfogel called hydraulic civilization) accounted for the founding of the
ancient Chinese, Egyptian, and Babylonian monarchies on the banks of
rivers. The monarchs also had to prove themselves as state-builders.

Monarchy also results from the wish of a society—be it a city population,

tribe, or multi-tribal “people”—to groom an indigenous leader who will
properly represent its historical achievements and advance its interests.
Monarchy, therefore, rests on the cultural identity and symbolism of the
society it represents, and in so doing it reifies that identity within the
society while also projecting it to outsiders. Perhaps most importantly,
successful and popular monarchs were believed to have a sacred right to
rule: some were regarded as gods (as in the case of the
Egyptian pharaohs or the Japanese monarchs), some were crowned by
priests, others were designated by prophets (King David of Israel), and
still others were theocrats, leading both the religious and political spheres
of their society—as did the caliphs of the Islamic state from the 7th
century CE. Coming from these varying backgrounds, leaders first rose to
power on the grounds of their abilities and charisma. Accordingly,
monarchies proved capable of adapting to various social structures while
also enduring dynamic cultural and geopolitical conditions. Thus, some
ancient monarchies evolved as small city-states while others became
large empires, the Roman Empire being the most conspicuous example.

Totalitarianism, Authoritarianism, and Fascism

Totalitarianism, authoritarianism, and fascism are all forms of government

characterized by a strong central rule that attempts to control and direct
all aspects of individual life through coercion and repression.

All nations have an official type of government as designated in the U.S.

Central Intelligence Agency’s World Factbook. However, a nation’s own
description of its form of government can often be less than objective. For
example, while the former Soviet Union declared itself a democracy, its
elections were not “free and fair”, as only one party with state-approved
candidates was represented. The USSR is more correctly classified as a
socialist republic.

In addition, the boundaries between various forms of government can be

fluid or poorly-defined, often with overlapping characteristics. Such is the
case with totalitarianism, authoritarianism, and fascism.

What Is Totalitarianism?

Totalitarianism is a form of government in which the state’s power is

unlimited and controls virtually all aspects of public and private life. This
control extends to all political and financial matters as well as the
attitudes, morals, and beliefs of the people.

The concept of totalitarianism was developed in the 1920s by Italian

fascists. They attempted to spin it positively by referring to what they
considered totalitarianism’s “positive goals” for society. Still, most
Western civilizations and governments quickly rejected the concept of
totalitarianism and continue to do so today.

One distinctive feature of totalitarian governments is the existence of an

explicit or implied national ideology—a set of beliefs intended to give
meaning and direction to the entire society.

According to Russian history expert and author Richard Pipes, Fascist

Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini once summarized the basis of
totalitarianism as, “Everything within the state, nothing outside the state,
nothing against the state.”
Examples of characteristics that might be present in a totalitarian state
include:

 Rule enforced by a single dictator

 The presence of a single ruling political party
 Strict censorship, if not total control of the press
 Constant dissemination of pro-government propaganda
 Mandatory service in the military for all citizens
 Mandatory population control practices
 Prohibition of certain religious or political groups and practices
 Prohibition of any form of public criticism of the government
 Laws enforced by secret police forces or the military

Typically, the characteristics of a totalitarian state tend to cause people to

fear their government. Rather than trying to allay that fear, totalitarian
rulers encourage it and use it to ensure the people’s cooperation.

Early examples of totalitarian states include Germany under Adolf

Hitler and Italy under Benito Mussolini. More recent examples of
totalitarian states include Iraq under Saddam Hussein and North Korea
under Kim Jong-un.

According to Russian history expert and author Richard Pipes, Fascist

Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini used the term “totalitario” to in the
early 1920s to describe the new fascist state of Italy, which he further
described as “all within the state, none outside the state, none against
the state.” By the beginning of World War II, totalitarian had become
synonymous with absolute and oppressive single-party rule.

Totalitarianism is typically distinguished from dictatorship, autocracy,

or tyranny by its goals of replacing all existing political institutions with
new ones and elimination of all legal, social, and political traditions.
Totalitarian governments typically pursue a special goal, such as
industrialization or imperialism, intended to mobilize the population in its
favor. Regardless of the economic or social cost, all resources are devoted
to achieving the special goal. Every government action is explained in
terms of realizing the goal. This allows a totalitarian state the widest
latitude of action of any form of government. No dissent or internal
political differences are allowed. Because pursuit of the goal is the
foundation for the totalitarian state, achievement of the goal can never be
acknowledged.

What Is Authoritarianism?

An authoritarian state is characterized by a strong central government

that allows people a limited degree of political freedom. However, the
political process, as well as all individual freedom, is controlled by the
government without any constitutional accountability
In 1964, Juan José Linz, Professor Emeritus of Sociology and Political
Science at Yale University, described the four most recognizable
characteristics of authoritarian states as:

 Limited political freedom with strict government controls imposed

on political institutions and groups like legislatures, political parties,
and interest groups
 A controlling regime that justifies itself to the people as a
“necessary evil” uniquely capable of coping with “easily recognizable
societal problems” such as hunger, poverty, and violent insurgency
 Strict government-imposed constraints on social freedoms such as
suppression of political opponents and anti-regime activity
 The presence of a ruling executive with vague, shifting, and loosely-
defined powers

Modern dictatorships such as Venezuela under Hugo Chávez and Cuba

under Fidel Castro typify authoritarian governments.

While the People’s Republic of China under Chairman Mao Zedong was
considered a totalitarian state, modern-day China is more accurately
described as an authoritarian state because its citizens are now allowed
some limited personal freedoms.

Authoritarian leaders exercise power arbitrarily and without regard to

existing laws or constitutional limitations, and typically cannot be replaced
by citizens through freely conducted elections. The right to create
opposing political parties that might compete for power with the ruling
group is either limited or prohibited in authoritarian states. In this
manner, authoritarianism stands in fundamental contrast to democracy.
However, it differs from totalitarianism in that authoritarian governments
typically lack a guiding national ideology or goal and tolerate some
diversity in social organization. Without the power or necessity to mobilize
the entire population in pursuit of national goals authoritarian
governments tend to exercise their power within more-or-less predictable
limits. Examples of authoritarian regimes, according to some scholars,
include the pro-Western military dictatorships that existed in Latin
America and elsewhere in the second half of the 20th century.

Totalitarian Vs. Authoritarian Governments

In a totalitarian state, the government’s range of control over the people

is virtually unlimited. The government controls nearly all aspects of the
economy, politics, culture, and society. Education, religion, the arts and
sciences, and even morality and reproductive rights are controlled by
totalitarian governments.

While all power in an authoritarian government is held by a single dictator

or group, the people are allowed a limited degree of political freedom.
What Is Fascism?

Rarely employed since the end of World War II in 1945, fascism is a form
of government combining the most extreme aspects of both
totalitarianism and authoritarianism. Even when compared to extreme
nationalistic ideologies, fascism is typically considered to be at the far-
right end of the political spectrum.

Fascism is characterized by the imposition of dictatorial power,

government control of industry and commerce, and the forcible
suppression of opposition, often at the hands of the military or a secret
police force. Fascism was first seen in Italy during World War I, later
spreading to Germany and other European countries during World War II.

The Foundations of Fascism

The foundation of fascism is a combination of ultranationalism—an

extreme devotion to one’s nation over all others—along with a widely held
belief among the people that the nation must and will be somehow saved
or “reborn.” Rather than working for concrete solutions to economic,
political, and social problems, fascist rulers divert the peoples’ focus,
while winning public support, by elevating the idea of a need for a
national rebirth into a virtual religion. To this end, fascists encourage the
growth of cults of national unity and racial purity.

In pre-World War II Europe, fascists movements tended to promote the

belief that non-Europeans were genetically inferior to Europeans. This
passion for racial purity often led fascist leaders to undertake
mandatory genetic modification programs intended to create a pure
“national race” through selective breeding.

Historically, the primary function of fascist regimes has been to maintain

the nation in a constant state of readiness for war. Fascists observed how
rapid, mass military mobilizations during World War I blurred the lines
between the roles of civilians and combatants. Drawing on those
experiences, fascist rulers strive to create a rabidly nationalistic culture of
“military citizenship” in which all citizens are willing and prepared to take
on some military duties during times of war, including actual combat.

In addition, fascists view democracy and the electoral process as an

obsolete and unnecessary obstacle to maintaining constant military
readiness. They also consider a totalitarian, one-party state as the key to
preparing the nation for war and its resulting economic and social
hardships.

Today, few governments publicly describe themselves as fascist. Instead,

the label is more often used pejoratively by those critical of particular
governments or leaders. The term “neo-fascist," for example, describes
governments or individuals espousing radical, far-right political ideologies
similar to those of the World War II fascist states.

What is Autocratic Leadership?

Autocratic leadership is an authoritarian model in which leaders have

absolute control. You might summon to mind Napoleon Bonaparte or
Queen Elizabeth I: leaders with complete, top-down control over their
empires. Autocratic leaders make decisions based on their personal ideas
of what is best and typically accept very little input from followers, with
the expectation that group members will fall in line with their directives.

Psychologist Kurt Lewin developed a foundational leadership framework in

the 1930s, defining three major leadership styles: autocratic, democratic,
and laissez-faire. Lewin’s work is the foundation for many later treatises
on leadership. In Lewin’s definition, autocratic leaders “make decisions
without consulting their team members, even if their input would be
useful.”

Although Lewin coined the term, the idea of autocratic leadership has
been around for quite a while and it’s a core tenet of classic management
theory, which became popular in the early 20th century. This theory
posits that consulting groups of subordinates is unnecessary. Instead, the
leader makes a decision, and that decision is conveyed in a top-down
manner for all employees to follow.

Socialism, Communism and Capitalism

In brief, Communism backs full control of the Government across all

standards of production and other resources.

Socialism exercises adaptable forms of controlling the State.

Capitalism supports a free market and overall economy without the

involvement of the State.

Capitalism vs Socialism vs Communism

The table illustrates significant differences between Socialist Communist

Capitalist countries based on their ideology, religion, origins, welfare
system, and ownership of economic resources.

Difference Between Socialism, Communism and Capitalism

Communism Capitalism S

It promotes state control of economic It favours the concentration of E

 wealth and means of production in
resources and the means of production. w
the hands of private individuals.

S
There is complete state intervention in There is no state intervention as it
f
terms of economic policies. follows the ideal of laissez-faire.
t

Static economic system. Dynamic economic system. F

The end goal of communism is to Capitalism strives to create a free S

establish a communist egalitarian order, society, economy, and market in e
usually through revolutions or sync with democratic and liberal a
authoritarian regimes. ideals. a

Started in the early

Founded in 1848 by the German
Renaissance generation M
Philosopher Karl Marx (May 5th,
between the 15th and 16th e
1818 – March 14th, 1883).
Centuries.

Unconcerned towards religion, but

Religion is effectively nullified. preference exists towards well-off F
or rich religious groups.

The welfare system is open only to

Supports universal social welfare with a T
wealthy people who can pay for
focus on public education and health. w
their services.

Socialism vs Communism

Communism and socialism difference is based upon several criteria,

including the type of ownership, equality, taxes and prices, healthcare
and so on. Communism vs Socialism basic comparison is illustrated
below.

Socialism and Communism

Socialism Commu

People may own possessions and small Comple

enterprises. Persona
State ownership of elementary No finan
services (water, electricity, internet) incentiv

Redistribution of revenue to create equal

All are t
classes.
governm
Entire liberty of religion

High taxes concentrated on social services or welfare state. High, rig

 redistrib

Communism vs Capitalism

Communism favours cooperative ownership and limits the free market

with government interference depicting a prepared economy. In
comparison, capitalism is an economic system that permits private
ownership and encourages the notion of a free market.

Difference Between Communism and Capitalism

Communism Cap

Som
Some notable figures of Communism are: Fidel Castro, Joseph Stalin, Karl
Smit
Marx, and Vladimir Lenin
Was

Available to everyone but circulated unequally among the poor. Sele

Employed by the federal government gove

Con
Prices are specified by the government, which manages supply and demand and
to maintain pricing artificially. Com
and

Socialism, Communism and Capitalism

Political philosophies have been an integral part of improvement since

ancient times. They help us comprehend the justifications for the steps
taken by the people that affected the international political structure.
Read further to compare and contrast Socialism, Communism, and
Capitalism.

What is Socialism?

Socialism advocates for communal social ownership of the means of

production in the form of public, collective, or cooperative, in contrast to
private ownership, as presented under capitalism.

 It favors government control of everything, from the economy to

production and output.
 Moreover, the government engages in social welfare initiatives to
ensure equitable distribution of wealth and equal opportunities for
all.
 However, it is a broader concept than Communism, as it functions
in a democratic setup.
  No encouragement for competition, commitment to social
equality, public or government-run system, offering
fundamental needs, and regulating prices are the basic
characteristics of Socialism.

Nations are described as socialist unless they declare so in their

constitution or via their federal name. A few governments to claim
themselves socialists are given below.

 Portuguese Republic.
 The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
 The Republic of India.
 The people’s Republic of Bangladesh.
 The Cooperative Republic of Guyana.
 The people’s Republic of Mozambique.
 The Republic of Angola.

What is Communism?

Communism originates from the French word communism, which means

of or for the community. It favors state ownership of economic resources,
policies, and means of production.

 Moreover, Communism favors the absence of private property,

established in a revolutionary way.
 Communism as an ideology found scholarly elaboration in the
writings of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.
 The characteristics of Communism include a classless society, joint
ownership of all resources, owning private property, standing
socially equivalent, and being against democracy.
 China, Laos, North Korea, Vietnam, and Cuba, are five examples of
Communist countries that exist currently.

What is Capitalism?

It commenced in the early modern era, resembling the 16th and 18th
centuries. Capitalism, as a monetary ideology, concentrates on the notion
of –

 Free trade.
 Free markets.
 Profits.
 Private control of resources and production means.
 Entrepreneur-wage laborer-based relations of production.
Some examples of capitalist economies include the United Arab
Emirates, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Canada,
the United States, Ireland, Singapore, Australia, and Switzerland.

The emergence of capitalism underwent three stages –

 Merchant capitalism.
 Industrial capitalism.
 Financial or imperial capitalism.

It gradually transformed into global capitalism based on ideas of free

trade and laissez-faire, also known as Neoliberalism, that we encounter
today.

Conclusion:

Key Difference Between Socialism, Communism and Capitalism

To sum up, the key difference between Socialism, Communism and

Capitalism is that Socialism permits freedom of religion, Communism
effectively nullifies religion, and Capitalism is unconcerned towards
religion.