Reasons for Political Change
According to Polybius, a particular form of government cannot be called the
best form. There is always a possibility of change from one form of government to
the other. According to Polybius, the original and the natural form of government
is Kingship. The oldest form of government was Monarchy. Monarchy is based
on force. However, in the course of time, it got public approval. According to Polybius, Governments moved in a circle. When Monarchy disregarded morality
and ethical values, it became tyranny. He said that Oligarchy also is not good. It
is the rule of the few for themselves. Democracy also is not good because it is a
kind of mob rule.
According to Polybius, there are many reasons for a revolution against the
government. The aspirants of the throne might lead intrigues against the King.
There may be fights among the members of royal family for power. Polybius said
that luxurious living, deprivation of power and prestige, unreasonable behaviour
etc can cause resentment among the members of royal family to feud against the
King. Even love for wine and gain can cause issues. When power is
concentrated on few hands, it can also lead to revolution. According to Polybius,
there shall be access to power for all alike. Right for power should not be concentrated in too few hands.
Best form of Government
Polybius was of the opinion that a grand combination of various systems
of government is the best. It will promote stability. The best feature from each
system should be borrowed. This will make a system which is relatively perfect.
Therefore, mixed form of government is the best form. He said that government
should be a mixture of Monarchy, Aristocracy and Democracy. The best
constitution is the one which contained the best elements of all the three normal
forms of government. Roman government had all these three elements.
A good constitution should contain all the three elements which the
Romans combined in their constitution. The Consuls37 had the military power.
They represented the Monarchy. They are vested with absolute authority. But
they required the support of the people. They needed the support of the Senate also.
Balances.
According to Polybius, at earlier occasions, dictators lost many wars
because there was no one to check them. Constitutional governments won wars
because, there were a system of checks and balances. He believed that it is not
the form of government which protected the freedom of the people. It is the
character, morality, quality and character which determined the freedom of the people.
And thanks for reading.
According to Polybius, a particular form of government cannot be called the
best form. There is always a possibility of change from one form of government to
the other. According to Polybius, the original and the natural form of government
is Kingship. The oldest form of government was Monarchy. Monarchy is based
on force. However, in the course of time, it got public approval. According to Polybius, Governments moved in a circle. When Monarchy disregarded morality
and ethical values, it became tyranny. He said that Oligarchy also is not good. It
is the rule of the few for themselves. Democracy also is not good because it is a
kind of mob rule.
According to Polybius, there are many reasons for a revolution against the
government. The aspirants of the throne might lead intrigues against the King.
There may be fights among the members of royal family for power. Polybius said
that luxurious living, deprivation of power and prestige, unreasonable behaviour
etc can cause resentment among the members of royal family to feud against the
King. Even love for wine and gain can cause issues. When power is
concentrated on few hands, it can also lead to revolution. According to Polybius,
there shall be access to power for all alike. Right for power should not be concentrated in too few hands.
Best form of Government
Polybius was of the opinion that a grand combination of various systems
of government is the best. It will promote stability. The best feature from each
system should be borrowed. This will make a system which is relatively perfect.
Therefore, mixed form of government is the best form. He said that government
should be a mixture of Monarchy, Aristocracy and Democracy. The best
constitution is the one which contained the best elements of all the three normal
forms of government. Roman government had all these three elements.
A good constitution should contain all the three elements which the
Romans combined in their constitution. The Consuls37 had the military power.
They represented the Monarchy. They are vested with absolute authority. But
they required the support of the people. They needed the support of the Senate also.
Balances.
According to Polybius, at earlier occasions, dictators lost many wars
because there was no one to check them. Constitutional governments won wars
because, there were a system of checks and balances. He believed that it is not
the form of government which protected the freedom of the people. It is the
character, morality, quality and character which determined the freedom of the people.
And thanks for reading.
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