FORMS OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
There are many forms of civil government, but they may be reduced to three principal systems:
1. Monarchy: government by one person.
2. Aristocracy: government by a few persons.
3. Democracy: government by the people.
Every government is either one of these forms or is composed of two or more of them.
MONARCHY.--A monarchy is a government whose chief authority is vested in one person, usually called king, queen, emperor, empress, or prince. Monarchies are absolute or limited.
In an absolute monarchy there is no limit to the power of the monarch; his wishes are the laws of the people. The people are his property, and in his person are combined all the powers of government, legislative, executive, and judicial. Russia is the only civilized nation whose government is still an absolute monarchy.
In a constitutional monarchy the sovereign, or chief ruler, must govern by laws made by a representative body elected by the people. England and Germany are constitutional monarchies.
In an hereditary monarchy the sovereign inherits the ruling power, usually from his father.
In an elective monarchy the sovereign is elected for life, usually by the dignitaries of other nations.
A patriarchy is a monarchy in which the chief power is exercised by a patriarch, or father. The authority of the patriarch is confined to his tribe. This form of government was common in ancient times, before tribes were combined into nations.
A theocracy is a monarchy whose rulers claim to be under the direct guidance of God. The government of the ancient Hebrews was a theocracy.
ARISTOCRACY.--An aristocracy, sometimes called oligarchy, is a government in which the supreme authority is vested in a privileged few, distinguished by their wealth and social position.
The privileged class are usually called nobles. They are above the common people in rank and bear titles of honor. These titles are mostly inherited, but are sometimes conferred upon persons by the sovereign.
An aristocracy never exists by itself; it is always combined with some other form of government, usually with a constitutional monarchy. The government of England is partly aristocratic; the House of Lords, one of the bodies of Parliament, being composed of nobles.
DEMOCRACY.--A democracy is a "government of the people, by the people, for the people." It is a government by many, instead of by one or by a few. Hereditary titles are inconsistent with democratic government, and therefore never exist in a democracy.
A pure democracy is a government conducted by the people in person. It is practicable only in a political community so small that all the people may assemble at the seat of government. The New England "town meeting" is almost the only example of a pure democracy in the world at the present time; certainly the only example in the United States.
A republic, or representative democracy, is a government conducted by representatives elected by the people.
The United States, Mexico, France, Switzerland, and all South American nations are republics, and the republican principle of government is growing in popularity throughout the civilized world.
No form of government is equally good for all peoples. A certain form may be good for one country and bad for another country. A republic, which is the best government for a well-educated and virtuous people, is the worst for an ignorant and depraved people.
The excellence of a republican government depends upon the knowledge and virtue of its citizens. The people are the rulers, and, if they are wise and virtuous, they will rule well; if they are ignorant and depraved, they will rule ill. Therefore the hope of a republic like ours is, that its people will continue to grow wiser and better.
[1]Fiske's Civil Government of the United States.