Governments with democracy and aristocratic attributes are in essence always governed by the “best” people. Where aristocracy refers to rule by elite citizens, called aristocrats, for example the British aristocracy throughout the 19th century.
Governments with democratic attributes are most common in the Western world and in several countries in the east, one of which is Indonesia as a characteristic of a developing country.
Whereas in a democracy, everyone in a country can vote during elections for their preferred representative or political party.
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Aristocracy and Democracy
Aristocracy and democracy are systems of government that are studied specifically in political sociology. Where these two form the hierarchy of the country’s development. To provide a more detailed explanation, here is a review of the meaning of the two.
Aristocracy
Aristocracy means that form of government which is exercised by the best of society and is guided in the exercise of authority and functions by the most lofty principles. This form of government came down to us from Aristotle.
Aristocracy according to the Greek philosopher, is a form of government par excellence, its principle is the virtue of the moral and intellectual superiority of the ruling class and the virtuous qualities they impart to those they rule.
The character of the aristocracy depended on the method of choosing those who held power, and the goals they cared for, and not the small number of them.
The selection methods are varied and designed according to certain prominent ideas that have permeated and are still permeating society.
Aristocracy is a form of government that places power in the hands of a privileged small ruling class, called aristocrats. This term comes from the Greek aristocratia, which means ‘the best of rules’.
Aristocracy can ultimately be defined only in relatively loose sociological terms, rather than in more stringent legal terms. The aristocrats are members of the traditional ruling class.
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They inherited wealth, status and power from their ancestors. In the vast majority of cases in 1789, the core of their wealth lay in land.
Democracy
Democracy is a system of government organized by the people, by the people, and for the people. It is for this meaning that democracy can form a government that refers to the will of the people. That is, the people are the holders of power in government.
Broadly speaking, this democracy is divided into two basic categories, namely direct and representative. In a direct democracy, all citizens, without the intermediary of elected or appointed officials, can participate in public decision-making.
An example of a country that successfully practiced the world’s first direct democracy with an assembly of 5,000-6,000 people is ancient Athens.
Today, the most common form of democracy, whether for a city of 50,000 or a country of 50 million, is representative democracy, in which citizens elect officials to make political decisions, formulate laws, and administer programs for the public good.
On behalf of the people, the official can consider complex public issues in a thoughtful and systematic way that requires an investment of time and energy that is often impractical for most citizens.
How these officials are elected can vary widely. For example, at the national level, legislators can be elected from districts that elect one representative each.
Alternatively, under a proportional representation system, each political party is represented in the legislature by a percentage of the total national vote.
Provincial and local elections can reflect this national model, or elect their representatives more informally by group consensus rather than voting.
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Whatever method is used, public officials in a representative democracy hold office on behalf of the people and remain accountable to the people for their forms of social action.
Countries Adhering to Aristocracy and Democracy
As for examples of countries that have adhered to a system of government with an aristocracy and democracy to date, they are as follows;
Example of Aristocracy
For example;
1. English
Throughout the long nineteenth century, the English aristocracy was the most admired and emulated in Europe. For some it is just one aspect of the widespread admiration and rivalry of the richest, most powerful, but also in many ways the most liberal, society and government.
However, there are also very specific aristocratic reasons to admire England. At a time when the Continental aristocracy is increasingly being challenged, there is comfort to be had in the fact that England is the most successful nation in Europe and one in which the aristocracy wields unique strengths.
Of all the European aristocracies in 1815, Britain most closely met every definition of a ruling class. In terms of power and wealth, the king of England was the best, primus inter pares (first among equals) in terms of the aristocratic elite.
No absolute monarch could violate civil rights or deny the freedoms of the English aristocracy, or even challenge their role as legislator or hereditary ruler.
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Nevertheless, England remained a monarchy until 1914 and this was as important to the nobility in England as it was elsewhere in Europe. The king and his court accentuated, legitimized, and placed the public’s stamp of approval on social hierarchies.
Example of a Democratic State
That is;
1. Indonesia
Indonesia is a constitutional democracy. After the fall of president Suharto’s long authoritarian New Order regime in 1998, various constitutional amendments were made to reduce the effective powers of the country’s executive branch, thereby making a new dictatorship nearly impossible.
Indonesia is now characterized by popular sovereignty which is manifested in parliamentary and presidential elections every five years. Starting from the fall of Soeharto’s New Order which marked the start of the Reformation period, every election in Indonesia is considered free and fair.
However, this nation cannot be separated from corruption, nepotism, collusion, and money politics where political power or position can be bought. For example, poorer sections of Indonesian society are ‘encouraged’ to vote for a particular presidential candidate on election day by receiving a small amount of money.
Such a strategy persists and is used by all parties involved (which – in some ways – makes it a fair fight and therefore different from the New Order era).
2. United States of America
The system of government that exists in the United States in essence runs a democracy and even this superpower country is also known as a government reference that is truly democratic in carrying out its duties. For democracy in the US, at least there is a fundamental difference from democracy in Indonesia, namely in the party system.
For parties in Indonesia with democratic characteristics, they adhere to multi-party while those in the United States only adhere to two major parties. Namely, the Democrats and Republicans.
3. Singapore
The most advanced country in Southeast Asia, namely Singapore, also fully adheres to a democratic system of government. Where the area is not so wide compared to Indonesia and Malaysia, this country has become a reference in global development.
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That was the last article that we can present to all readers regarding examples of countries that are adherents of aristocratic and democratic systems of government that exist throughout the world. Hopefully provide insight and knowledge.