QOD

Both Heaven and Hell are absolute dictatorships; the only difference is the being who is in charge.  A similar rule applies to human government.  A democratic government over a society composed of decent, law abiding, civic-minded and civically virtuous people can bring prosperity, security, all the good things in life.  Conversely, a democratic government in a society gone rotten, or one where only family and blood count, or where it is every man for himself, can create a Hell on Earth.  A monarchy may be decent and stable, as England’s was for many centuries, or it can be the nightmare of work-to-death camps in Russia under the Communists.  Indeed, people may be freest of all under a monarchy like England’s or they may be utter slaves to the whims of Russia’s autocrats.  An aristocracy may rule well, and provide great benefit to everyone, aristocrat or common.  Equally, it may be a corrupt oligarchy that loots the society for its own benefit.  The questions then, always, are: “What is the quality of those in charge and how can we maintain them in virtue or select them for virtue?”