in the hands of a few (_oligos_, few); example, the triumvirates of
Rome.

An aristocracy is really a government by the best (_aristos_, the select,
the best). This is the sense in which the word was first used. It has come
to mean government by a privileged class. Aristocracy seldom, if ever,
exists alone.

A democracy is that form of government in which the functions are
administered directly by the people, only the clerical or ministerial work
being done by officers, and they appointed by the people; examples, the
old German tribes, some of the states of ancient Greece, some of the
present cantons of Switzerland, the early settlements of New England, and
in a limited sense our own school districts and towns.

A republic is a representative democracy. A democracy is practicable only
within a very limited area. When the area grows large the people must
delegate much of work of government to representatives. Examples, the
United States, each state in the Union, Switzerland, and most of the
countries of America.

The Origin of Each Typical Form.--Monarchy and oligarchy both probably owe
their existence to war. The successful chieftain or leader in war became
the king, and his retainers or followers became the privileged classes.
Those who were subdued either became slaves or were simply "the common
people." Democracy had its beginnings, and flourishes best, in times of
peace. The people, though they had to fight again and again to secure
recognition, have really won their right to it by the arts of peace.

The Criteria of Good Government.--Among the tests by which the goodness or
badness of a government, or form of government, may be determined, are the
following:

1. A good government is _stable_. Stability is the foundation of
worthiness of character in governments as well as in persons. The basis of
progress is permanence--one cannot grow wise, or rich, or strong, unless
he can preserve at least a part of what he gains. "Conduciveness to
progress includes the whole excellence of government." [Footnote: Mills
Representative Government.]

2. A good government _tends to increase the sum of good qualities in the
governed_. Strength comes from exercise. Therefore a government is
excellent in proportion as it works up to the possibilities of a people
for self-government and fits them to go on advancing in intellectual and
moral power.

3. A good government _has proper machinery_. This should be "adapted to
take ad