Which government type is characterized by rule based on kinship or hereditary traits?

The government type that is characterized by rule based on kinship or hereditary traits is monarchy. In a monarchy, power is typically held by a single individual, the monarch, who often inherits their position through family lineage. This hereditary succession means that leadership is often passed down through generations of a family, reinforcing the notion of kinship as a basis for governance.

Monarchies can take various forms, including absolute monarchies, where the monarch holds substantial power, or constitutional monarchies, where the monarch's powers are limited by law or a constitution. The essence of a monarchy lies in its reliance on the royal bloodline and familial connection to establish authority, differentiating it from other forms of government.

While aristocracy does involve rule by a certain class or elite, its focus is on a group rather than the singular hereditary succession that defines monarchy. Other forms of government, like democracy and theocracy, are not based on kinship but instead either on the people's participation in elections or religious leadership, respectively.