Bates. — On Democracy. 101 



It must not be inferred that this system of city-states 

 existed in Greece from the beginning. It is certain that 

 there, as elsewhere, ruder types of political organization pre- 

 ceded that which was so characteristic of Greek civilisation at 

 its best. Wandering tribes do not build towns. The hill-fort 

 and the unwalled village came before Athens in order of time, 

 and left some faint traces of themselves in historic times. 



Closely connected with our ideas of the State is our con- 

 ception of government. We have seen that the State, in the 

 modern sense of the term, implies the existence of a governing 

 body. Even in barbarous communities we find some kind of 

 rule established, and deference and obedience paid to some 

 authority raised above the mass of the people. Immemorial 

 nobility is to be met with in all branches of the human race ; 

 but how the distinction of rank arose in the first instance 

 seems to be a matter of mere conjecture. It is possible, of 

 course, to have distinctions of rank without such distinc- 

 tions conferring any right of government. But, in practice, 

 those who enjoy special honours usually secure posts of 

 authority. As States advance in civilisation the organiza- 

 tion of government becomes greatly developed, owing to the 

 social needs of each community. But from whom is the 

 authority to govern ultimately derived ? Can the claim to 

 rule or occupy official positions be based in the last resort 

 upon inheritance, rank, caste, or divine right ? Some answers 

 given to these questions have in the past disturbed the peace 

 of nations, and given rise to numerous changes in the constitu- 

 tions of States. They have, however, now been answered 

 virtually in one way, for the general conviction seems to be 

 that no government ever existed which did not derive its 

 power really from the consent of the governed. "Govern- 

 ment," says Huxley, "is the corporate reason of the com- 

 munity." Where the sovereign is a compound body, as is 

 the case now in every civilised government, the practical 

 sovereignty rests with the people. In the British Consti- 

 tution the three Estates of the Realm must agree before 

 any measure can become law. A complicated but effective 

 system of checks has been devised regulating the exercise 

 of power by the monarch. But with whom does supre- 

 macy rest? Bagehot has shown that the British Consti- 

 tution has given the sovereignty to the majority of the 

 House of Commons. This seems to agree with the political 

 genius of the Teutonic race in all times. Speaking of the 

 Teutonic Assemblies, Professor Freeman says, " So in our 

 laud our ancient Witenagemots not only made laws, not 

 only chose and deposed kings, ealdormen, and bishops, 

 but sat in judgment on State offenders, and pronounced 

 sentences of outlawry and confiscation. . . We must 



