Democracy or Monarchy?
Crossposted from Theatrical Muse
I have seen happy monarchies, and democracies sunk into despair. I have seen deplorable monarchies, and robust democracies bustling with energy. If there is a form of government that has been invented by sentient beings, I’ve no doubt that I’ve at least heard of it, if not actually seen it in action. And it doesn’t matter what the form is.
History teaches us that government is inherently unstable. In the long run, the determining factor in the longevity is not the form, but the substance - the people doing the governing, and the people being governed.
A good governor is thoughtful, intelligent, shrewd, compassionate, and honest. A good governed shares all of those qualities, combined with a strong determination to hold the governor’s feet to the fire of indignation if they stray from the straight and narrow.
If I had to choose a form to live under myself, I think I would choose a benevolent despotship. Provided, of course, that the despot truly was benevolent, and stayed that way.
Muse: Qui-Gon Jinn
Fandom: Star Wars TPM
Word Count: 168
I have seen happy monarchies, and democracies sunk into despair. I have seen deplorable monarchies, and robust democracies bustling with energy. If there is a form of government that has been invented by sentient beings, I’ve no doubt that I’ve at least heard of it, if not actually seen it in action. And it doesn’t matter what the form is.
History teaches us that government is inherently unstable. In the long run, the determining factor in the longevity is not the form, but the substance - the people doing the governing, and the people being governed.
A good governor is thoughtful, intelligent, shrewd, compassionate, and honest. A good governed shares all of those qualities, combined with a strong determination to hold the governor’s feet to the fire of indignation if they stray from the straight and narrow.
If I had to choose a form to live under myself, I think I would choose a benevolent despotship. Provided, of course, that the despot truly was benevolent, and stayed that way.
Muse: Qui-Gon Jinn
Fandom: Star Wars TPM
Word Count: 168