Govt System

Various Govt. System Mahbub Nazmi (Provat) Bachelor of Law Asst. Editor, Students’ Law Review [email protected]

Aristocracy: (rule of the best) It was made up of the nobles, who owned most of the land and ruled their city-states through a council. They lost much power after the 8th century BCE. When more people obtained more wealth and became equal with the aristrocacy, the system was replaced by the oligarchy. If it were overthrown, it was usually replaced by a tyrrany. Democracy: (rule of the people) This system was created in Athens by Solon. Every full citizen could be a juror, could vote in the Asembly, and could be elected to any state office. Politicians were known as orators and generals. People in the Assembly made the decisions, which were carried out by magistrates and the council. Monarchy: (rule of the king) It dates back to the Dark Ages, but disappeared in the 8th century BCE in some cities. Sparta had a heretary dyarchy, but there was often friction between the two kings over succession. They were commanders of the army and had some judicial powers. However, there were no palaces. Macedonia had a hereditary monarchy from

650 BCE. The kings were the military commanders. They had various advisers: Companions, Friends, and Commanders. Oligarchy: (rule of the few) Power was held by a minority of wealthy people. Although citizens could be a part of an oligarchy, they did not have full political rights. Political power was given to a council. The number of participants in an oligarchy could be limited to a specific number by constitution. Satrapy: This was a system of provincial governors, or vassal kings used in Persia. Alexander the Great preserved this system in his conquered territories. In some satrapies, the satrap collected the taxes. Tyranny: This was a form of monarchial government in which wealthy and ambitious leaders seized power unconstitutionally. These rulers often were patrons of the arts and of the festivals. From the 5th century BCE, this type of rule suggested terror and bad government. The rulers were usually replaced by oligarchies.