The Government Class Book

nment. Monarchy; Aristoc

nd ruler of a family. This kind of government prevailed in the early ages of the world, and in a state of society in which the people dwelt together in families or tribes, and were not yet formed into states or nations. The

and signifies a government by the immediate direction of God. The laws by which they were governed were given to them on Mount Sinai

his power is usually called the sovereign, or supreme power. Where kings rule, they are called sovereign; and where the power is in the hands of the people, the people are sovereign. In the strict sense of the term, however, entire sovereignty, or supre

r only, and arkos, a chief; and is a general name for a single ruler, whether he is called king, emperor, or prince. A government in which all power resides in

the death of a sovereign, the eldest son is usually heir to the crown; or if there is no son, it falls to the daughter, or some other relati

. These words at first meant simply a single ruler. They are now applied, for the most part, to rulers who exercise authority over their subjects with severity. In an absolute despotism, the monarch has entir

, power, or krateo, to govern; and means a government of the best. It is also used for the nobility of a country under a monarchical government. Nobles are persons of rank above the common people, and bear some titl

urely democratic, the great body of freemen meet in one assembly to make and execute the laws. There were some such governments in ancient Greece;

laws is exercised by representatives, who are persons elected by the people to act for them. Yet, as not only the election of representatives, but the adoption of the constitution or form of governme

or happiness. Wealth also was formerly sometimes used for weal. Hence commonwealth means strictly the common good, or the common happiness. In a general sense it signifies

Govern