Although various forms of
government have developed over the centuries, in the closing years of the second millennium virtually
every nation has a constitutional form of
government or at least claims that it does. A constitution, whether written or an unwritten tradition, contains the principles and rules most fundamental to the establishment and operation of a government and its code of laws. This principle of rule by law as the basic guideline for decisions rather than the unfettered whims of rulers is now widely accepted. Thus everyone can know how the process is supposed to work and can act under the assumption that there will or ought to be some consistency, order, and stability in legislative, administrative, and judicial procedures and decisions. Constitutions and laws represent a collectively agreed upon rational order. They are universal reference points that the society has decided by consensus are fair for everyone. A good constitution outlines the powers of government, the procedures for preventing or rectifying the abuse of those powers, and the human rights that are to be protected without prejudicial discrimination for race, sex, ethnic origin, religion, age, social class, economic condition, or political belief.
Democracy means rule by the people, and in a town or small city people can assemble and vote as one body. However, in a larger society direct voting has been replaced by elected representatives who vote on behalf of the people who elected them in a republican form of government. In either case good government depends on the enlightenment and education of the people making the decisions. In the world today most every nation claims that it has some process whereby the people are able to choose their leaders at selected intervals in elections. In a one-party system, like the Soviet Union and other Communist countries, participation in the party politics of selecting candidates determines the outcome. In two-party or multi-party systems, the general public can
exercise the determining choice in the general election, and when there are open primaries, can help to choose the candidates for their parties. Yet in capitalist countries money that is contributed to political campaigns can exercise a larger influence for the wealthy and financial interests.
I believe that political decisions ought to be based on a consideration of what is best for all, made by those who are truly wise rather than on the basis of vested interests in power blocs, whether they be capitalist or Communist. Thus education of the people is the first step toward good government. Even in a society that is not very democratic, increasing awareness of the people can help them to claim their powers and bring about the needed reforms. When the people are well educated, knowledgeable, and informed on public issues, then they will choose leaders who are wise and just to represent them. Thus not only schools for all children but also widespread news media, publishing, public programs, and adult education are essential to successful democracy. An unenlightened public can be led astray by demagogues using patriotic prejudices, false promises, and deceptive rhetoric to hide and distort irresponsible policies.
Not all nations are organized as federal systems. Many are centralized in national governments which rule and distribute power to provinces and localities. Small nations often do not require federal divisions of power. In large nations federalism is a way of balancing power between the national, provincial, and local governments so that the central government does not become too oppressive and smaller regions such as states, provinces, counties, and cities can exercise autonomy in their own areas. Federal constitutions delegate various powers and responsibilities to the national and local levels. Thus all the power is not centralized as in a dictatorship or hierarchical as in the feudal system. Whether each natio