Monarchy, Republic or Parliamentarism?
- Marcelo Serafim
- May 8, 2023
- 3 min read
The monarchy is a form of government where a king, queen, or emperor is the head of state. The position is usually inherited by the monarch's family members. Historically, the monarch had the ultimate power and control over the state. However, in modern times, monarchies have evolved into constitutional monarchies where the monarch's role is mostly ceremonial and symbolic.

On the other hand, a republic is a form of government where the people or their elected representatives hold the power. In a republic, the head of state is not a monarch but a president who is elected by the people. The president's role is mostly ceremonial and symbolic, while the real power lies with the parliament and the government.
In a democratic republic, the role of the president is to serve as the head of state and the head of government.
The president is typically elected by the people, either directly

or through an electoral college, and serves a fixed term in office.
The president has a number of important duties and responsibilities, including:
Chief executive: The president is responsible for carrying out the laws of the land and managing the day-to-day operations of the government.
Commander-in-chief: The president is the highest-ranking military officer in the country and is responsible for the nation's defense.
Diplomat: The president represents the country in international affairs, negotiates treaties, and conducts diplomacy with other nations.
Legislative leader: The president has the power to propose legislation and work with Congress to pass laws.
Judicial leader: The president is responsible for nominating judges and justices to the federal courts, including the Supreme Court.
Overall, the president plays a critical role in the functioning of a democratic republic, serving as the leader of the nation and the voice of the people.

Parliamentarism is a system of government where the parliament holds the power and is responsible for making laws and policies. The government is usually formed by the party or coalition that has the majority in the parliament. The head of government is usually referred to as Prime Minister or Chancellor, The head of state in a parliamentary system is either a monarch or a president, but their role is mostly ceremonial and symbolic.
The difference between a republic and parliamentarism is that in a republic, the president is the head of state, while in parliamentarism, the head of state is usually a monarch or a president with a mostly ceremonial role. In both systems, the real power lies with the parliament and the government who are elected officials of the people.
The advantage of the monarchy is that it provides a stable and consistent system of government, especially in countries where there are deep cultural and traditional ties to the monarchy. It also offers a sense of national identity and pride to its citizens. However, it can also be a disadvantage as it limits the power of the people and can sometimes be seen as archaic and outdated.
On the other hand, the advantage of a republic and parliamentarism is that it provides a democratic system of government where the people have the power to elect their representatives and hold them accountable. It also allows for more transparency and accountability in government. However, it can also lead to instability and political gridlock, especially when there are deep divisions within the society.
Questions
What is the difference between a monarchy and a republic?
What is the role of the head of state in a parliamentary system?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a monarchy?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a republic and parliamentarism?
How has the role of the monarchy evolved in modern times?
What is the role of the Prime Minister in Parliamentarism?
Verb of the day
Evolve - to develop and change over time
Vocabulary
Monarch - a king, queen, or emperor who is the head of state
Ceremonial - relating to a ceremony or formal occasion
Inherited - received from a previous generation
Parliament - a group of elected representatives who are responsible for making laws and policies
Coalition - a group of political parties who work together to form a government
Archaic - outdated or old-fashioned
Instability - lack of stability or consistency
Accountability - responsibility for one's actions and decisions
Transparency - openness and honesty in government
Gridlock - a situation where no progress can be made due to a lack of agreement or cooperation
Phrasal verb: Hold accountable - to hold someone responsible for their actions
English idiom/expression: The ball is in your court - it's your turn to make a decision or take action
Listening
Grammar tip: When using prepositions with verbs, it's important to pay attention to which preposition is most commonly used with that particular verb. For example, we say "believe in" instead of "believe on," and "listen to" instead of "listen on." It's also important to remember that some verbs can be followed by multiple prepositions depending on the meaning you want too add to it. Keep studying phrasal verbs for example!



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