Democratic Polity

The Latin word res publica is the precursor of modern republican ideology. It meant ‘public belonging’. The Latin philosophers used this word to mention the elected governments of the contemporary states. Ancient Roman Empire depicted the earliest forms of republic constitution in 509 B. C. At that time the monarchy government was abdicated to give rise to an advisory assembly. In history, we refer to it as the Roman senate. 

The word democratic polity is derived from the Greek expression ‘demokratia’. The Greek word is a mixture of two terms ‘demos’ meaning people and ‘Kratos’ which signifies ordinance. The population of a democratic polity actively participates in the planning of legislation. 

Connotations of a Republic 

A government that comes to power through the majority of the voters’ approval assumes the supreme authority in a democratic republic. At present, there are 159 republic countries. In a republic framework, the governors have no scope of realizing the states as their private property. The entire political map is considered a public belonging. Any particular family does not inherit the ruling right by birth. The powers are delegated through democracy or a combination of oligarchy and democratic polity. Oligarchy ideology involves a limited number of political leaders who represent the various parties in the Parliament. They select their leader. The drawbacks of monarchy are successfully averted in modern republic governance. 

Primarily the centralized government of a sovereign nation represents the republic. At times, subdivisions of a country such as the provinces or states also participate in modern republicanism. We can notice this format in the administrative structure of the United States of America where it ensures the individuality of each constituent state assembly. A similar scenario is prevalent in Russia where the federal government is composed of numerous republics. 

Ideologies of Republic Governments

Pure Republican administration: Here, the state has no separate ruler. A common leader is elected by voting. The legislature may also nominate a potential leader based on his past political track record. Parliamentary agreement on the selection of a particular entity may not be considered under certain circumstances. Countries like Bangladesh, Guyana, Mali, and Chad have this form of government. 

Presidential Republic: In this mechanism, the President has a dedicated judicial branch. It is not a part of the legislature that implements independent duties and powers. In the Presidential Republic, the Head cannot be abdicated by the legislature except in cases of administrative malfunction. Developed countries like France and Germany portray this form of republic. 

Semi Presidential Republic: Political critics also refer to this as a dual executive government. In this republicanism, a cabinet headed by the Prime Minister assists the President to carry out administrative functions. The President is answerable to the legislature. The cabinet may dismiss the President from power anytime through a vote of confidence. Russia, Algeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are some countries that follow the semi-Presidential framework. 

Parliamentary Republic: A Parliament Head is a non-executive President. The Prime Minister of the country executes law and order. He is dependent on the legislature’s conviction. There are separate heads of each state in a parliamentary republic. India, Pakistan, and Ethiopia are some of the countries which are governed by the Parliamentary system. 

Monarchy Government 

The collection of legal institutions in a monarchy is controlled by a supreme ruler. Hereditary rights hand over the unquestionable authority to a monarch. From ancient times, the monarchs have withstood the test of time by enduring traditional and cultural differences. 

The functionality of Monarchy Government 

The judicial bodies and the state administration lie on opposite ends of a monarchy mechanism. A monarch not only exercises political control over his subjects but also acts as a court. Monarchy arises from the desire of a particular class within the society. Therefore, the cultural background of that community defines the identity of the monarch. Monarchs try to make the majority understand that they have possessed the sacred right of ruling through their power and affluence. 

What is the role of political parties in the democratic polity? 

We will discuss the mechanism of elections to answer the question – what is the role of political parties in the democratic polity? Elections are held where candidates represent different political parties. The common people choose their favorite candidate who in turn secures votes for his political party. Several executive plans and administrative policies are designed by the party that seeks to secure the cushion. The policies are communicated to a larger audience. Based on its relevance, people cast votes to bring their dearest party to power. The legislature of the nation undergoes modification each time a new political party assumes the central authority. The opposing parties criticize the ruling government by addressing the potential loopholes and proven drawbacks of their schemes. People are benefitted from numerous welfare schemes that are launched by the government. 

Conclusion 

Republican governments strictly oppose the principles of autocracy. The people choose their leader through elections. Monarchy on the other hand restricts the pool of authority to a specific family or lineage who drafts the laws and regulations according to their wishes.