FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
It is correct to say that forms of government vary widely,
generally categorized by who holds power—one, few, or many –and how they rule.
Major types are known as democracy (Abraham
Lincoln called it government of the people, by the people, for the people.)
Other forms are Monarchy (rule by a single hereditary person), Oligarchy (rule
by a small group), Totalitarian (absolute power by a dictator or single party),
Theocracy (rule by religious leaders), and Communism (rule based on economic ideology).
All these types have their merits and
demerits. Only their number varies.
The English poet, translator and
satirist Alexander pope (1688-1744) said:
“For forms of government, let fools contest; That which is best administered is
best”.
Democracy is considered to be the
most popular form of government. But it, too, has number of arguments against
it. Some of them are:
(1) It is prone to indecision,
feebleness, instability, and stupidity because of the volatility, irrationality
and inaptitude of the masses.
(2) It exalts mediocrity and inferiority,
the masses being resentful of persons above their level of intelligence and
ability and preferring leaders of their own kind.
(3) It easily falls prey to demagogism, bossism,
and vicious pressure politics, the shortsightedness and narrow selfishness of
the people themselves being the cause of these things.
(4) Majority rule tends always to become
majority tyranny, since the intolerance and bigotry of the multitude can be subject
to no effective restraint.
(5) And finally, democratic government
cannot be carried on without political parties, and that this invariably
results in government by an invisible oligarchy.
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G.R.Kanwal
21 January 2025.
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