From the Rulers to the Ruled: Types of Governments Class 7 Social Science Chapter 9 CBSE Notes 2025-26

Government plays a central role in organizing society, making laws, keeping order, and ensuring the security and well-being of citizens. 

In everyday life, government is responsible for tasks like maintaining peace, protecting the borders, running schools, providing healthcare, building infrastructure, and managing the country’s economy. 

It also interacts with other countries to promote the nation’s interests and security.

There are different types of government around the world, including democracy, monarchy, theocracy, dictatorship, and oligarchy. Each form has its own way of making decisions and involves citizens differently. 

Governments can be categorized by who makes decisions, how those decisions are made, what the different branches do, and the goals they try to achieve. For example, in a democracy, the people hold decision-making power, usually through elected representatives.

Key Functions of Government

• Legislative function: Making rules and laws that provide the framework for society and government.
• Executive function: Carrying out and implementing those rules and laws.
• Judicial function: Ensuring rules are followed, resolving disputes, and upholding justice.

These three branches may work as independent bodies or, in some systems, be controlled by a single authority.

Democracy means ‘rule by the people’. People either directly make decisions or, more commonly, choose representatives who act and decide on their behalf. 

This system is based on equality, freedom, and rights, including the right to vote and freedom of speech. India is a democratic country where citizens above the age of 18 can vote, and representatives are chosen through elections.

• Direct democracy: People themselves make major decisions (practiced in limited ways in small countries like Switzerland).
• Representative democracy: People elect representatives who then make and implement the laws. Most modern nations, including India, follow this form.

Democracy has evolved over time — for example, universal adult franchise was granted at different years across countries (India in 1950, Switzerland for women in 1971).

Fundamental democratic principles include equality before the law, freedom of speech, regular elections where each adult can vote, and an independent judiciary. 

In a representative democracy, elections happen regularly, and governments are accountable to the people. Separation of powers between the executive, legislature, and judiciary helps ensure fairness and prevents misuse of authority.

• Equality: Equal treatment, access to opportunities, and rights for every citizen.
• Freedom: Citizens can express opinions and make choices freely.
• Accountability: Government answers to the people; if citizens are dissatisfied, they can vote for change.
• Independent judiciary: Ensures that everyone, including those in power, follow the law.

Democratic systems can be parliamentary (like India and the UK, where the Prime Minister and cabinet are from the legislature) or presidential (like the USA and South Korea, where the president is separate from the legislature).

Not all countries are democracies. Other forms include:

• Monarchy: Power is held by a king or queen, usually inherited. Can be absolute (all power with monarch, e.g., Saudi Arabia) or constitutional (monarch has limited power, e.g., UK).
• Theocracy: Government ruled under religious law and religious leaders (e.g., Iran, Vatican City).
• Dictatorship: One person or a small group holds absolute power, with little or no input from ordinary people (e.g., North Korea, Nazi Germany under Hitler).
• Oligarchy: A few powerful, often wealthy, individuals control the government.

Each form of government shapes society in its own way, especially in terms of rights, equality, and citizens’ participation.

In ancient India, early republics like Vajji selected leaders based on merit, not family background. 

The Chola inscriptions from 10th century Tamil Nadu detail the election of local sabha members by secret ballot and state the responsibilities and eligibility of candidates. 

Even in monarchies, texts like the Mahabharata stressed that rulers should act with justice and for the welfare of the people, not out of pride or self-interest.

Democracy is valued because it offers rights such as universal adult franchise, equality, and freedom of speech. It expects the government to strive for the well-being and prosperity of all, with power shared across different branches. 

In contrast, other systems often deny people basic rights or participation, with power concentrated in one person or group. However, democracies also face challenges like corruption, inequality, and sometimes, the misuse of power by a few. To keep democracy healthy, citizens must remain aware and involved.

In summary, governments exist to lead and manage countries. The type of government greatly influences how people live, their rights, and their opportunities. 

Democracy stands out because it gives power to the people and focuses on fairness and the well-being of everyone. But it also requires citizens to be watchful and engaged so its true ideals are followed.

CBSE Class 7 Social Science Chapter 9 Notes – From the Rulers to the Ruled: Types of Governments

These Class 7 Social Science Chapter 9 revision notes provide a clear overview of types of government, democracy, and their key features. They summarize important concepts from the NCERT chapter, including real-life Indian and world examples, helping you revise faster and more confidently before exams.

Use these notes to quickly recall main points about democracy, dictatorship, monarchy, and other forms of government. Each detail is presented in a simple, easy-to-read style to boost understanding and make last-minute revision more productive.