Government
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3.Forms of government compared
3a.Classifications of states and the relativity of forms
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 108–109Twelve princes rule the people with Alcinous as the thirteenth.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 325Mantua's three tribes and twelve towns compose its government under Mantuan laws and Tuscan sway.read · scan
Tacitus, GermanyVol. 33
- p. 118–119The Sitones differ from the Suiones in that sovereignty is exercised by a woman.read · scan
Niccolò Machiavelli, The PrinceVol. 36
- p. 5–7Classifies all states as republics or principalities, hereditary or new, acquired by arms of others or one's own, by fortune or merit.read · scan
Sir Walter Raleigh, The Discovery of GuianaVol. 33
- p. 317–318Guiana said to share Peru's laws, religion and forms of government.read · scan
- p. 354Raleigh inquires how Guiana is governed, its strength and policy, and which nations are friends or enemies.read · scan
Edmund Spenser, Prefatory Letter to Sir Walter Raleigh on the Faerie QueeneVol. 39
- p. 61Contrasts Plato's commonwealth as it should be with Xenophon's Persian government as it might best be.read · scan
Francis Pretty, Sir Francis Drake's Famous Voyage Round the WorldVol. 33
- p. 223Java is governed by five kings, or Rajahs, who live as of one spirit and one mind.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The TempestVol. 46
- p. 419Gonzalo imagines a commonwealth without magistrates or sovereignty.read · scan
- p. 419–422Gonzalo imagines governing an ideal commonwealth without toil, crime, or weapons, surpassing the golden age; the courtiers mock it.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Dr. John DonneVol. 15
- p. 325–326He observed the laws and manner of government of the countries he visited.read · scan
James Graham, Marquis of Montrose, My Dear and Only LoveVol. 40
- p. 358–359Rule by one contrasted with a synod or committees in the heart.read · scan
William Penn, Some Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 349–350Government has many shapes but is sovereignty in all; rule is ambition of some natures.read · scan
Jonathan Swift, Hints towards an Essay on ConversationVol. 27
- p. 91Mentions a perfect form of government as an ideal that men have despaired of realizing for thousands of years, unlike conversation.read · scan
Alexander Pope, Solitude; On a Certain Lady at Court; Essay on ManVol. 40
- p. 422–426The ant's republic and the realm of bees show social union with order, even under a monarch.read · scan
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, A Discourse upon the Origin and the Foundation of the Inequality among MankindVol. 34
- p. 220–221Forms of government arise from degrees of inequality among members when they first formed a political body.read · scan
- p. 224–225Proposes weighing advantages and disadvantages of each government relative to natural rights.read · scan
Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in FranceVol. 24
- p. 199Simple governments are defective since man and society are complex; no simple direction of power suits them.read · scan
- p. 259Burke reprobates no form merely on abstract principles; democracy may suit rare circumstances but not France.read · scan
James Monroe, The Monroe DoctrineVol. 43
- p. 277American political system is essentially different from that of the allied powers, arising from their different governments.read · scan
Thomas Carlyle, CharacteristicsVol. 25
- p. 350Forms of government give way: tyranny to monarchy, feudalism to representative government.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, PoliticsVol. 5
- p. 239The form of government expresses the cultivation of the population that permits it.read · scan
- p. 243Forms of government fit each nation's habit of thought; every actual state is corrupt, and 'politic' means cunning.read · scan
John Stuart Mill, AutobiographyVol. 25
- p. 99Mill finds Bentham's and his father's theory of government too narrow; good government depends on more than identity of interest or election.read · scan
- p. 99–102Government rests in the strongest social power; institutions depend on that power, and are relative rather than absolute.read · scan
- p. 126Contrasts inductive and deductive modes of treating the question of government.read · scan
3b.Monarchy, republic, democracy and the mixed constitution
See also: Liberty 7f · Slavery 9c
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 239–243Latian court with lictors, tribunal and senators feasting; kings' sovereign power displayed.read · scan
Plutarch, ThemistoclesVol. 12
- p. 8Turning soldiers into seamen may have injured the true balance of government, a question for philosophers.read · scan
Plutarch, PericlesVol. 12
- p. 44Offices assigned by lot; Areopagus stripped of its cases by Ephialtes.read · scan
William Harrison, A Description of Elizabethan EnglandVol. 35
- p. 226–228England's commonwealth is governed by three sorts, first the prince in whose name all is administered.read · scan
- p. 228–229Commonwealth governed by the prince, gentlemen and yeomanry; deputies and lord presidents administer outlying regions.read · scan
John Winthrop, Arbitrary Government Described and the Government of the Massachusetts Vindicated from That AspersionVol. 43
- p. 85Defines arbitrary government as rule over people without their choice and without a rule; argues Massachusetts is not such.read · scan
- p. 99–100Massachusetts government of magistrates and freemen, authority and liberty distinct, a limited mixed aristocracy and not arbitrary.read · scan
- p. 101–102Deputies object to the book's distinction of authority in magistrates and mere liberty in freemen, contrary to the Patent.read · scan
- p. 102–103Winthrop defends Massachusetts against the charge of arbitrary government, distinguishing authority from liberty among the body politic's members.read · scan
Sir Thomas Browne, Religio MediciVol. 3
- p. 269–271Faculties may be kings in one monarchy, each ruling in due time and place.read · scan
John Milton, AreopagiticaVol. 3
- p. 225–226The free writing and speaking spring from Parliament's mild, free and humane government.read · scan
Sir Henry Vane, A Healing QuestionVol. 43
- p. 130A supreme judicature representing the whole best provides the common good; power may be placed in one or few by free consent.read · scan
John Dryden, Dedication of the AeneisVol. 13
- p. 16–17Dryden compares forms of government, preferring England to Venice.read · scan
- p. 17Augustus rules by powers derived from the ancient offices of the commonwealth.read · scan
John Dryden, All for Love; or, The World Well LostVol. 18
- p. 7Dryden prefers English monarchy suited to island's situation over republic; argues its defensive form and consent of people.read · scan
Voltaire, Letters on the EnglishVol. 34
- p. 76–77Pennsylvania governed without priests, arms or distinctions save public employments; a sovereign addressed as equal.read · scan
- p. 85Compares English Parliament with Roman senate; English government restrains the prince from evil while leaving him power to do good.read · scan
- p. 88Traces English government from conquest and feudal parliaments to the harmony of King, Lords and Commons.read · scan
- p. 140England's form of government, letting many speak publicly and judge, makes learning honoured and obliges all to cultivate their understanding.read · scan
- p. 151–152Addison became Secretary of State, whereas in France he might be jailed or pensioned by women's credit.read · scan
David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human UnderstandingVol. 37
- p. 293Politician gains foresight in balancing power; modern governments are more stable than ancient.read · scan
Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of NationsVol. 10
- p. 547Republican form supports Holland's grandeur; its wars and debts justify taxes on necessaries, and its overthrow would drive merchants away.read · scan
Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in FranceVol. 24
- p. 258Burke argues a third option exists between despotism of monarch and of the multitude: a monarchy limited by law, hereditary wealth and popular check.read · scan
Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, The Federalist, Nos. I and IIVol. 43
- p. 201Energy and efficiency of government are defended as compatible with, and necessary to, liberty.read · scan
- p. 202Plans to argue the need for an energetic government and preservation of republican government.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, English TraitsVol. 5
- p. 407–408House of Peers as a branch of government fills half the Cabinet and takes the brunt of public business.read · scan
John Stuart Mill, AutobiographyVol. 25
- p. 10Father discoursed on civilization and government and had him read Millar's history of English government.read · scan
- p. 119–120Popular government needs defences and correctives to mitigate its weak points.read · scan
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 998–1000Praises Britain as a land of settled government, where freedom broadens from precedent to precedent and faction seldom gathers head.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Two Years Before the MastVol. 23
- p. 167California's government is an arbitrary democracy with no judiciary, laws changing at the legislature's caprice.read · scan
James Russell Lowell, DemocracyVol. 28
- p. 458–459Democracy is an experiment in government that must stand or fall on its merits, with no perpetual motion in politics.read · scan
- p. 465Those with the divine right to govern, the wiser, govern in the end; the highest privilege of most is being governed by the wiser.read · scan
3c.Indifference to form and the test of results
Confucius, The Sayings of ConfuciusVol. 44
- p. 42Good men governing a century could end cruelty; a true king takes a generation to bring love.read · scan
Plato, CritoVol. 2
- p. 42Contrast between well-governed cities like Thebes and Megara and disorderly, licentious Thessaly.read · scan
Alexander Pope, Solitude; On a Certain Lady at Court; Essay on ManVol. 40
- p. 428–430Forms of government are not worth contesting; whatever is best administered is best.read · scan
Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in FranceVol. 24
- p. 262Proposes population growth as a sure standard for judging a government's effects; flourishing population means no very mischievous government.read · scan
- p. 263Burke argues a state whose population increases cannot be the worst political institution; it contains a principle favourable to mankind's increase.read · scan
- p. 264Argues the differing forms of English and French government partly explain wealth differences, and that France was not an absolute evil requiring revolution.read · scan
- p. 304–305A commonwealth is judged by whether the people are happy, united, wealthy and powerful.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, English TraitsVol. 5
- p. 320–321Sicily's government brought itch, pox and famine, a school of political economy by contraries, unlike Malta's.read · scan
John Stuart Mill, AutobiographyVol. 25
- p. 110–111Austin held real security for good government is an enlightened people, and admired Prussian care over English representative government.read · scan
James Russell Lowell, DemocracyVol. 28
- p. 466Statecraft is now seen as a business, not a mystery.read · scan
- p. 466–468A man can be indifferent to the name of his government if he can climb by merit; English mixed regime remarked on.read · scan
- p. 468England's success attributed to concern for the substance rather than the name of popular government.read · scan
- p. 470Healing lies not in monarchies, aristocracies or democracies but in the conscience and heart.read · scan
3d.Despotism, dictatorship and the strong man
See also: Tyranny 4a
Confucius, The Sayings of ConfuciusVol. 44
- p. 25–26The people may be made to follow but not to understand.read · scan
Aeschylus, AgamemnonVol. 8
- p. 72–74Aegisthus asserts rule over citizens and demands submission to his guiding hand.read · scan
- p. 74Clytemnestra and Aegisthus resolve to rule the palace and order all things.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, Letters of CiceroVol. 9
- p. 161–163He judges that Caesar's ruler-like clemency and shrewdness will lead him to restore the exile to public life.read · scan
- p. 168–169Under the submission to the will of one man he must plan how to live quietly by that man's leave.read · scan
Plutarch, PericlesVol. 12
- p. 43Pericles's rule described as aristocratic in form and single-man supremacy in fact.read · scan
- p. 50–52After ostracizing rival Thucydides, Pericles unites the city and holds tributes, armies, fleets and empire in his hands.read · scan
- p. 52–54Athens surrendered cities, treaties, war and peace to his discretion; he was annually re-elected General for fifteen years.read · scan
Plutarch, AlcibiadesVol. 12
- p. 138–139Athens grants him absolute command by land and sea, restoring him after exile.read · scan
Plutarch, CaesarVol. 12
- p. 309The people accept single rule hoping for respite after civil wars.read · scan
Plutarch, AntonyVol. 12
- p. 335–336Triumvirs divide the empire as a paternal inheritance and settle who shall be proscribed.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 26Suleyman's unlimited power over Jinn, birds and winds; the Jinn compelled to build the Temple.read · scan
- p. 368–370Describes the Sultan's levee: ministers, nobles bowing, petitioners presenting suits, and the ruler deciding matters in order.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, PurgatoryVol. 20
- p. 166–167Justinian's laws are useless if the saddle is empty; Italy lacks a ruler.read · scan
- p. 167Dante denounces the emperor Albert for abandoning Italy, which is like an unruly horse without a rider to correct her.read · scan
- p. 208A sovereign is needed to see the true city; corrupt guides mislead the multitude.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, ParadiseVol. 20
- p. 402None bears rule on earth, so mankind wanders.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 222The Pope's will as sovereign in imprisoning and pardoning is acknowledged by his petitioners.read · scan
Christopher Marlowe, The Tragical History of Doctor FaustusVol. 19
- p. 214–216He imagines dominating Germany's potentates and the Emperor.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 106Kings hold power of a different kind and do not follow the majority of their ministers.read · scan
- p. 272The great of earth unite: the learned write, the wise condemn, the kings kill.read · scan
John Dryden, Dedication of the AeneisVol. 13
- p. 15–16Pompey, Crassus and Caesar divide the government among themselves; the Roman commonwealth wastes from within under arbitrary power.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 510The Lazzaretto is entrusted to Capuchin Father Felice as governor with unlimited authority to restore order among the plague-stricken.read · scan
- p. 511–512The friar dictatorship is called a strange expedient, a mark of a rude, ill-regulated society.read · scan
Thomas Carlyle, Inaugural Address at EdinburghVol. 25
- p. 367–368Praises Cromwell's Protectorate as the most salutary thing in modern English history, pure and true.read · scan
- p. 368Roman dictatorship and Cromwell's Protectorate as purifying, salutary administration.read · scan
- p. 369Parliament dissolved and handed power to Cromwell, who became Protector, virtually Dictator.read · scan
- p. 370Dictatorship gave Parliamentary England a new lease of life with lasting good fruits.read · scan
Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the BeagleVol. 29
- p. 78–79Rosas's influence and disciplined management of estates and men give him predominant power in the country.read · scan
- p. 80–81An army elects its general by a feat of horsemanship; Rosas rules by conforming to Gaucho habits.read · scan
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1027–1030Longs for one strong man who can rule and dare not lie, whether aristocrat, democrat or plutocrat.read · scan
James Russell Lowell, Abraham LincolnVol. 28
- p. 439–441Lincoln's steady policy, like a Roman army, left a firm road; the ruler was absolute yet the incarnate common sense of the people.read · scan
- p. 443Contrasts what an absolute ruler might do with the constraints on an elected magistrate whose judgment becomes national action.read · scan
- p. 449A simple attorney became the most absolute ruler in Christendom through hold on hearts and understandings.read · scan
James Russell Lowell, DemocracyVol. 28
- p. 463–464All forms of government have virtues and defects; only a perfectly wise and good despot would survive cross-examination.read · scan
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