The Cabinet system--an ideal government

Abstract

Introduction: Forms and systems of government have ever been an important factor in promoting the welfare of the subjects or citizens. In early days under good rulers, and in later times under favorable systems, the development of the masses has been marked, while under less favorable governments, progress has been retarded. But as the people have advanced in civilization the systems of government have necessarily changed to meet the new conditions. Each system as it has proved successful for its age gave promise of being an ideal form, but in time it also proved inadequate to the demands and was replaced by another. After twenty five centuries since first the free-men of Greece established popular self government, this general system has come to be recognized by all the civilized world as the only right and tenable form: and while most of the governments still preserve much of the pomp and show that is the essence of royalty, each of the nations of the earth that is worthy the name has given the people a large and increasing, or else entire control of political affairs. This fact realized, the only question now at issue by the students of political science is one of practicability--how best and surest, and possibly quickest, to secure the sober judgment of those who are recognized as competent to participate in the affairs of state. The varying requirements because of the moods and temperaments of the different races have made it impossible that any one type is equally well adapted to all, but as each nation progresses in the science of government it is plain to be seen that the development is along two distinct lines.