2. By the few, oligarchy or aristocracy.
3. By the many, democracy or republic.
Definitions and examples.—A hereditary monarchy is one in which the succession is acquired by birth, the usual order being from father to eldest son; examples, England, Prussia, etc.
An elective monarchy is one in which the succession is by election; the term for life; example, the old German empire, in which the emperor was chosen by certain princes called "electors." [Footnote: Our mode of electing a president may have been suggested in part by this old practice.]
An absolute monarchy is one in which the three functions of government as related to law—the legislative, executive and judicial—are all vested in one person; examples, Russia and Turkey in Europe, and most of the countries of Asia and Africa.
A limited monarchy is one in which the sovereign's power is confined chiefly to executing the laws framed and interpreted by other departments; examples, England, and most of the other countries of Europe.
An oligarchy is that form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the hands of a few (oligos, few); example, the triumvirates of Rome.
An aristocracy is really a government by the best (aristos, the select, the best). This is the sense in which the word was first used. It has come to mean government by a privileged class. Aristocracy seldom, if ever, exists alone.
A democracy is that form of government in which the functions are administered directly by the people, only the clerical or ministerial work being done by officers, and they appointed by the people; examples, the old German tribes, some of the states of ancient Greece, some of the present cantons of Switzerland, the early settlements of New England, and in a limited sense our own school districts and towns.
A republic is a representative democracy. A democracy is practicable only within a very limited area. When the area grows large the people must delegate much of work of government to representatives. Examples, the United States, each state in the Union, Switzerland, and most of the countries of America.