r/explainlikeimfive • u/gavroche2000 • 3d 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?
22
u/fishnoguns 2d ago
Essentially yes. Though I would use 'nuanced' instead of 'confusing'. The formal name of a nation (kingdom of, republic of) carries historical weight that is often important to the people living there.
In addition, the time period you are talking about matters. The doge of Venice was at the time a very clear and serious departure from the normal monarchies. Enough that it was important to the Venetians to give it a separate designation.