A form of government where the powers of the state is determined by the citizens is

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the form of government in which the citizens determine how the powers of the state are used. The key idea is that power rests with the people.

Step 2: Explain the concept Forms of government are classified by who holds power:

• Monarchy: Power is held by a king or queen, usually through hereditary succession (e.g., the Emirs in the old Sokoto Caliphate, or the Oba in traditional Yoruba states).
• Aristocracy: Power is held by a small, privileged, noble class.
• Autocracy: Power is held by one person with unlimited authority, who is not answerable to the people (e.g., a dictator or military ruler).
• Democracy: Power is held by the people, who exercise it directly or through elected representatives. The word comes from the Greek demos (people) and kratos (rule).

Step 3: Apply to the options

• A. Monarchy: power belongs to a ruling family, not the citizens.
• B. Aristocracy: power belongs to a select few.
• C. Autocracy: power belongs to one person.
• D. Democracy: citizens choose their leaders through elections and shape how power is used. This matches the question.

Step 4: Answer The correct answer is D. Democracy.

Exam tip: Match the "who rules" keyword to the word's prefix:

• Mono = one (monarchy)
• Aristo = best/elite (aristocracy)
• Auto = self (autocracy)
• Demo = people (democracy)

Whenever a question mentions "the people" or "citizens" holding power, think democracy. Abraham Lincoln's definition also helps: "government of the people, by the people, for the people."