History Main / AliensNeverInventedDemocracy

** One episode, "The Cloud Minders" showed that Federation membership doesn't require a democratic government at the planetary level. However, another maintains that the Federation won't accept any planet which practices "[[FantasticCasteSystem caste-based discrimination]]".

* ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer40000}}'': {{Downplayed}}. On the global scale, none of the major Xenos races are democratic: the Tyranids are a HiveMind, the Orks and the Drukhari lack a centralised government altogether and are ruled by [[MightMakesRight the strongest]], the Necron Dynasties are a [[FeudalFuture feudal monarchy]], and the Aeldari Craftworlds and the T'au Empire are oligarchies (the former ruled by the [[TheMagocracy psychic]] Seer Council, and the latter by the [[ThePhilosopherKing philosophizing]] Ethereal Caste). On the other hand, minor Xenos civilisations mentioned in the fluff ''are'' stated to be "republics", as are some members of the larger ones (such as the communist-themed Gretchin Revolutionary Committee). And, of course, 40k being [[CrapsackWorld what it is]], humans in the setting are [[HumansAreTheRealMonsters no paragons of liberty and democracy either]]. The Imperium of Man (not to mention the horrific Chaos-worshipping human societies) is often even ''more'' oppressive than most Xenos governments, with background fluff mentioning that even ''theorizing'' about democracy can get your planet subject to [[PlanetShatteringKaboom Exterminatus]].

* ''VideoGame/Stellaris'': Averted, as any species is able to be one of seven government types: Democracy, Oligarchy, Dictatorship, Empire, Mega Corp, Hive Mind or Machine Intelligence (if they're robots). Depending on their Ethic and Civics, their government can be more specific, such as having the Materialist Ethic can turn a Representative Democracy into a Direct Democracy, or having the Citizen Service Civic makes them a Citizen's Republic.

* The atevi of Creator/CJCherryh's ''Literature/{{Foreigner}}'' series cannot conceive of any other form of governance than monarchy.

* ''Franchise/TheTransformers'': Played straight in pretty much every incarnation of the franchise. Autobot leaders are chosen by the Matrix of Leadership, Decepticon leaders by AsskickingEqualsAuthority and KlingonPromotion. The one major exception to this is ''ComicBook/TransformersIDW2005'': when Optimus Prime decides that he can't be leader of the Autobots anymore, they hold an election for his replacement and choose Bumblebee. Later, after the Cybertronian Civil War ends and the Autobots, Decepticons, and unaligned Cybertrons reunite on Cybertron, an election is held for a new planetary leader. Thanks to the unaligned not knowing any better, they elected [[TheStarscream Starsceam]].

[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
* ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'': There are relatively few nonhuman-ruled nations on Golarion, and none are democracies. Elven Kyonin and the dwarven city-states in the Five Kings Mountains and elsewhere are monarchies (with the dwarf kings forming a larger alliance), while the orc lands of the Hold of Belkzen are an amorphous association of tribes that run on AsskickingEqualsAuthority. To be fair, however, there aren't many human democracies either, the only notable ones being Andoren (a staunchly anti-slavery parliamentary republic based on [[{{Eagleland}} an idealized vision of the United States]]), Galt ([[DemocracyIsFlawed effective mob rule]], inspired by [[UsefulNotes/TheFrenchRevolution France at the height of the Terror]]), and Nirmathas (loose confederation of woodland settlements). The Kellid barbarians also elect their clan leaders by acclamation.
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* A recurring character of ''WebComic/TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob'' is Princess Voluptua, the butterfly-like heir to an empire centering around the neighboring brown dwarf of Nemesis and viceroy of our solar system ([[AlienNonInterferenceClause Earth is a nature preserve]]). They do apparently have a parliament, though. And the dragons (one of their subject races) have a legislature called the [[UsefulNotes/{{Iceland}} Althing.]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'', whilst the Earth government is essentially a carbon copy of the US presidential system, the rest of the species have:

* On ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' [[Recap/TheSimpsonsS8E1TreehouseOfHorrorVII Treehouse of Horror VII]] segment, "Citizen Kang", aliens kidnap Homer and ask him to TakeMeToYourLeader. Homer quickly agrees, but then he changes his mind because he just remembered they are about to have an election between then-President UsefulNotes/BillClinton and Senator Bob Dole, so Homer doesn't know what to tell them. The aliens Kang and Kodos are apparently familiar with the concept of an election, having monitored human activity for years, but when they kidnap Clinton and Dole and impersonate them, their campaign styles make it clear that they have no direct experience with elections. Once Kang is elected, he enslaves the human population and converts the United States into a dictatorial monarchy.

* Not alien by standard definition, but [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic the magical land of Equestria]] is ruled by two millennia-old, immortal monarchs with enough magic strength to move celestial bodies. Thankfully, they're generally considered competent and benevolent. Fanfics sometimes poke fun at this, with the ponies confused, distrustful or even hostile of democracy and other political models.

Sometimes this is done because the writer wants to make the aliens truly alien in culture, thus having weird, even sometimes incomprehensible, political systems is a way. However, if the aliens' government system is just another non-democratic human system like absolute monarchy or dictatorship, then this is not the reason. In some works it could be a way to present humanity's [[GoodRepublicEvilEmpire nice democratic system vs the aliens' evil Empire]], which is very common when TheFederation faces TheEmpire. (This is especially common in works made during the UsefulNotes/ColdWar for [[ScaryDogmaticAliens obvious reasons]].) Sometimes is just a matter of PlanetOfHats: some writers just can't think that a ProudWarriorRace can be democratic (despite the fact that we have many examples in our own world) because, well [[ArmiesAreEvil warriors are not democrats]], also in scenarios of AlienInvasion, having the invaders enjoying a democracy would feel kind of contradictory (despite, again, many examples in our history where democratic republics held vast, cruel empires and subjugated other peoples without considering this a contradiction).

* ''VideoGame/{{X}}'': The Argon (a LostColony of humans) are the only explicitly representative government among the major factions, giving a senator to every inhabited planet, moon, or space station in their territory. The rest are the Boron (TheKingdom), the Split (TheEmpire), the Paranids (TheTheocracy), and the Teladi ({{Corporatocracy}}). It's unclear what form the Terran government takes.

** The [[MechanicalAbomination individual members]] of the [[[[Characters/NewMutants Technarchy]] are not social and seem to barely tolerate each other enough to share a "crecheworld" for reproduction.

* PlayedWith in the "Majority Rule" episode of ''Series/TheOrville'' in which the Sarguns have a form of direct democracy. Unfortunately, it's based on snap-voting in which uninformed opinions are more important than any consideration of the facts.

* ''Film/{{Coneheads}}'' based on a series of ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'' skits, the eponymous aliens' homeworld is ruled by an absolute dictator.

** The [[MechanicalAbomination individual members]] of the [[Comicbook/{{Warlock}} Technarchy]] are not social and seem to barely tolerate each other enough to share a "crecheworld" for reproduction.

* [[TheReptilians The Race]] in Creator/HarryTurtledove's ''Literature/{{Worldwar}}'' are ruled by an emperor, and have no concept that any other political system is viable or even possible. They initially believe that humanity works the same way, and think that the leaders of the various nations they encounter are each a hereditary emperor. Once they figure out that FDR, Stalin, and Hitler are not "emperors" despite being in charge, the only way they can think to describe them are as "not-emperors" who rule a "not-empire". Democracy is the most confusing to the Race, since at least Hitler and Stalin have the authority of an emperor, while the concept of working under the authority of the populace is even more alien. The name for democracy in their language is "snout-counting". Interestingly enough, The Race ''does'' have a procedure for removing someone from a position of power that's remarkably similar to an impeachment vote; one of them lampshades its resemblance to the "snout-counting" that they hold in contempt. They seem to justify it to themselves that they are counting the snouts of those who have the proper authority, not just the general public at random.

** The Narn Regime: a Military Junta lead by the leaders of LaResistance against the Centauri. Background material goes into more detail and explain that the Narn government's name is the Kha'ri and it is made of several concentric circles of power from nobility and high priests to artisans and peasents. G'Kar is from the third circle of profesionals and intellectuals.

** The Hyach Grand Council of Elders: A gerontocracy.
** The Brakiri Syndicracy: A case of {{Corporatocracy}}.
** The pak'ma'ra: A communitarian society with no State (the dream of the anarchists).

** The Klingon Empire: A feudal oligarchy with the heads of the noble houses comprising the High Council and choosing a Chancellor, an emperor in all but name. They use to have fully empowered Emperors who were successors of Kahless ([[CrystalDragonJesus their culture's Jesus]]) but the figure was abandoned some 200 years before the first series starts. A clone of Kahless was later named Emperor but with only decorative and religious functions. They ''are'' democratic in a way, in that any Klingon is technically able to become Chancellor, but unless one is the designated or arbitrated successor this generally requires [[KlingonPromotion killing one's predecessor in a duel after making him look dishonorable]].
*** An episode of ''Series/DeepSpaceNine'' references they ''did'', briefly, practice democracy after a coup ousted the current emperor. It didn't last long, and Klingon history refers to it as "the Dark Time." Make of that what you will.

** The Tzenkethi Coalition: Its leader is named the Autarch, you make the math.

** The Ferengi Alliance: A plutocratic autocracy led by the Grand Nagus (generally the richest and most politically influential of all Ferengi, or most able to make other Ferengi think he is). All the rest of the administration is basically {{Corporatocracy}}. Near the end of the series, they transition to a constitutional system with the establishment of a "Congress of Economic Advisors".

*** One episode, "The Cloud Minders" showed that Federation membership doesn't require a democratic government at the planetary level.

* The Takisians in ''Literature/WildCards'' practice [[DeadlyDecadentCourt especially skullduggerous]] medieval feudalism, with the noble families being selectively bred for superior psychic ability, scientific acumen, and physical beauty. Dr. Tachyon still doesn't get democracy after living among us for decades, not entirely seeing why elections are preferable to assassinations.

* ''Series/StargateSG1'': Between the collapse of the Goa'uld Empire and the Ori invasion, the Free Jaffa attempt to establish a nation of their own. Early on, there's a conflict between Teal'c, one of the main cast members and pro-democracy, and Gerak, who favors [[AsskickingEqualsAuthority representation based on military strength]]. [[spoiler:Gerak later has to make a HeroicSacrifice to end the Ori plague on Earth, and Teal'c and Bra'tac push the Free Jaffa Nation back to traditional representative democracy.]]

** The Romulan Star Empire is technically a parliamentary republic, with the praetor seemingly equivalent to a prime minister. However, it's also very much a PoliceState where the major state security agency, the [[StateSec Tal Shiar]], wields significant political power: they station [[ThePoliticalOfficer political officers]] on naval vessels, and at two separate points in ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'', the vice-chair and chairman of the Tal Shiar also sit in the Senate.
** The Cardassian Union is a military dictatorship with a merely symbolic civil government. It has similarities with both Fascist and Soviet regimes. [[spoiler:In the ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' episode "[[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS04E01E02TheWayOfTheWarrior The Way of the Warrior]]", a popular uprising overthrows the military government and restores power to the Detapa Council. Later the Dominion invades Cardassia and overthrows this government to install Gul Dukat as their puppet dictator. Democratic rule is restored after the Dominion defeat in the ensuing war.]]

* In ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' and ''Series/{{Angel}}'' most demon cultures shown are autocratic or monarchic in nature. Vampire have generally packs ruled by masters (who are generally not only the strongest, but also the smartest -sometimes by far- and meanest of all). Also most other dimensions shown also seem to have absolute monarchies like Pylea and Oden-Tal.

* On ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' [[Recap/TheSimpsonsS8E1TreehouseOfHorrorVII Treehouse of Horror VII]] segment, "Citizen Kang", aliens kidnap Homer and ask him to TakeMeToYourLeader. Homer hesitates, because they are about to have an election between President UsefulNotes/BillClinton and Senator Bob Dole, so Homer doesn't know what to tell them. The aliens Kang and Kodos are apparently familiar with the concept of an election, having monitored human activity for years, but when they kidnap Clinton and Dole and impersonate them, their campaign styles make it clear that they have no direct experience with elections. Once Kang is elected, he enslaves the human population and converts the United States into a dictatorial monarchy.

* A recurring character of ''WebComic/TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob'' is Princess Voluptua, the butterfly-like heir to an empire centering around the neighboring brown dwarf of Nemesis and viceroy of our solar system ([[AlienNonInterferenceClause Earth is a nature preserve]]). They do apparently have a parliament, though.

* A recurring character of ''WebComic/TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob'' is Princess Voluptua, the butterfly-like heir to an empire centering around the neighboring brown dwarf of Nemesis and viceroy of our solar system ([[AlienNonInterferenceClause Earth is a nature preserve]]).

[[quoteright:350:[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS8E1TreehouseOfHorrorVII https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/president_kang.jpg]]]]

* ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'': There are relatively few nonhuman-ruled nations on Golarion, and none are democracies. Elven Kyonin and the dwarven city-states in the Five Kings Mountains and elsewhere are monarchies (with the dwarf kings forming a larger alliance), while the orc lands of the Hold of Belkzen are an amorphous association of tribes that run on AsskickingEqualsAuthority. To be fair, however, there aren't many human democracies either, the only notable ones being Andoren (a staunchly anti-slavery parliamentary republic based on [[{{Eagleland}} an idealized vision of the United States]]), Galt ([[DemocracyIsFlawed effective mob rule]], inspired by [[UsefulNotes/TheFrenchRevolution France at the height of the Terror]]), and Nirmathas (loose confederation of woodland settlements).