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A government ruled by a hereditary ruler is defined as a monarchy. In a monarchy, the position of the ruler is typically passed down through family lines, often from parent to child. This contrasts with other forms of government, such as democracy, where leaders are elected by the people, or oligarchy, where power is held by a small group of individuals. In a dictatorship, authority rests with a single leader who often maintains control through force or coercion, rather than through a hereditary system. Therefore, the defining characteristic of a monarchy is its reliance on hereditary succession, distinguishing it clearly from these other forms of government.