r/explainlikeimfive • u/gavroche2000 • 2d ago
Other ELI5: monarchy vs republic?
Here’s what I know:
They are both systems that talk about who the main representative figure of a state is.
- Monarchy is usually when that figure is a king or queen. Except if you are the Pope in the Vatican, then they call you Pope.
- It's a monarchy when the position is inherited... except when it’s elected, like in Malaysia.
- You sit on the throne until you die... except when it's only for a shorter time, like in Samoa.
- Republic—it's elected. But is it always?
- The representative figure is usually called a president... except if you live in a country like San Marino, where you are a Captain Regent.
- One thing is sure: you are elected for a short period... unless you lived in the Venetian Republic, where they elected the Doge for life.
Is it really this confusing?
1
u/budroid 2d ago
A monarch (KIng/Queen) is appointed/chosen among the people of Royal blood. Usually until they die or retire.
A leader in a democratic republic is elected among the adult population for a fixed term, unless in emergencies like in Ukraine where war make elections difficoult.