Chapter 36

GOVERNMENT.

Government is defined as _rule_ or _control_. It is that which governs, and also the act of governing. In its political sense, it means the supreme authority of a State or other political community, or the act by which this authority is applied. It is sometimes said to be a system of institutions for the restraint of people living in the social state or social condition.

The word _govern_ is derived from a Latin word which first meant _to steer the ship_, and then very naturally came to mean _to guide, to direct, to command_.

"The comparison of governing with steering is a very happy one," for the interest of him who steers is the same as that of the people in the ship: "all must float or sink together." So the interest of those that govern, of those that guide "the ship of state," as we often express it, is the same as that of the people.[1]

ORIGIN AND NECESSITY.--The origin of government is unknown; its beginning can not be traced. People everywhere, in all the varying degrees of civilization, recognize the necessity of a supreme authority, to whom all owe and render obedience.

Men can not long live in the same vicinity without some kind of political organization. Without some sort of government--that is, some supreme power to settle disputes--the people would be in continual warfare; there could be no security to person or property; each individual could look to himself alone for safety; "his hand would be against every man, and every man's hand against him."

Wherever men are found they live under some form of government, however rude and imperfect. In all parts and in all ages of the world they have seen the necessity of some power to protect the weak and restrain the strong, and have therefore set up a supreme authority for the common welfare.

A body of people living under government is called _society_, and the agreement existing between them, for their common welfare, is called the _social compact_.

Men are so constituted that society is necessary to their happiness. Therefore they seek the social state and join the social compact, thus agreeing to be governed by law and order.

FOR THE PEOPLE.--Government is for the people, and not for the rulers. Officers, the highest and the lowest, are merely the servants of the people.

All governments derive their just powers from the consent of the people, and are established and maintained for their good. All powers which are exercised without the consent of the people are unjust and tyrannical.

KINDS.--Government is of two kinds, civil and military.

_Civil government_ is the government of civil society, or the government of the people in a peaceful state.

_Military government_ is the government of men in a state of war. It prevails in the army and the navy, and sometimes in districts which are the scenes of military operations.

Military government is conducted by the rules of martial law, and in its penalties and exactions is much more severe than civil government.

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_.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

1. Why is military government more severe than civil government?

2. Could society exist without law? Why?

3. Why is a republic a bad form of government for an ignorant people?

4. Are the people of the United States growing wiser and better?

5. Is this State improving in civilization?