A system of government in which power derives from total control of the instruments of force is called ___________

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for a system of government where power comes from total control of the instruments of force (the army, police, weapons, and so on). The key phrase is "total control of the instruments of force."

Step 2: Explain the concepts

• Monarchy: Power is held by a king or queen, usually by hereditary succession (e.g. Saudi Arabia, Eswatini). Authority comes from lineage, not force.
• Oligarchy: Rule by a small group, often the wealthy or elite. Power comes from the group's status or wealth, not necessarily from controlling force.
• Capitalism: This is an economic system based on private ownership of the means of production. It is not a system of government, so it is out immediately.
• Fascism: A totalitarian, authoritarian system led by a dictator who rules by force, suppresses opposition, and controls the army, police, and state machinery (e.g. Mussolini's Italy, Hitler's Germany). Power depends on total control of the instruments of coercion.

Step 3: Eliminate and decide

• A: Based on heredity, not force, so no.
• B: Rule by a few, not defined by force, so no.
• C: Economic system, not government, so no.
• D: Rule by force and coercion, which matches the question.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is D. fascism.

Exam tip: Link keywords to systems. "Force / coercion / dictator / one-party control" points to fascism (or dictatorship). "Hereditary" points to monarchy. "Few people" points to oligarchy. "Private ownership" points to capitalism, which is economic, so watch for options that are not forms of government at all.