The Government Class Book | Page 8

he would be
if he retained the whole to himself. It is generally true, that, in
performing acts of kindness and charity to others, we most effectually
promote our own happiness, and feel the saying to be true, "It is more
blessed to give than to receive."
Chapter IV.
Different Forms of Government. Monarchy; Aristocracy; Democracy;
Republic.

§1. Governments have existed in a great variety of forms. The earliest
governments of which we have any knowledge, are the patriarchal.

Patriarch, from the Greek, pater, father, and arkos, chief, or head,
means the father and 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 patriarchal government existed
before the flood, and for a long period afterward. Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob, the fathers of the Hebrew race, as also the sons of Jacob, the
heads of the twelve tribes, were called patriarchs.
§2. After their departure from Egypt, the government of the Hebrews
was a theocracy. This word is from theos, God, and kratos, power, and
signifies a government by the immediate direction of God. The laws by
which they were governed were given to them on Mount Sinai by God
himself, their leader and king. This theocratic form of government,
with some changes, existed until the coming of the Messiah.
§3. But the forms of government which have most prevailed, are
designated by the terms, monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy, or
republic. These words severally indicate by what persons, and in what
manner, the governing power of a state is exercised. This 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 supreme power, exists only where power is exercised
by one man, or a single body of men, uncontrolled or unrestrained by
laws or by any other power. But in a more general sense, it is that
power in a state which is superior to all other powers within the same.
§4. A form of government in which the supreme power is in the hands
of one person, is called a monarchy. The word monarch is from two
Greek words, monos sole or 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 or proceeds from one person,
is an absolute monarchy. If the power of the monarch is restrained by
laws or by some other power, it is called a limited monarchy.
§5. A monarchy is called hereditary in which the throne passes from
father to son, or from the monarch to his successor, by inheritance. On

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 relative. A
monarchy is elective, where, on the death of the ruler, his successor is
appointed by an election. A few such monarchies have existed.
§6. An absolute monarchy is sometimes called despotism. The word
despot is from the Greek, and means master, or lord. It has nearly the
same meaning as tyrant, which also is from the Greek, and signifies
king. 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 entire
control over his subjects. They have no law but the will of the ruler,
who has at command a large force of armed men to keep his people in
subjection. The governments of Russia and Turkey are highly despotic.
§7. An aristocracy is a form of government in which the power is
exercised by a privileged order of men, distinguished for their rank and
wealth. The word aristocracy is from the Greek word aristos, best, and
kratos, 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 title of honor. The titles of the English nobility are those of
duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron. These titles are hereditary,
being derived from birth. In some cases they are conferred upon
persons by the king.
§8. A democracy is a government of the people; the word democracy
being from the Greek demos, the people, and krateo, to govern. In a
government purely democratic, the great body of