Monarch--hereditary in the Emperor--hereditary line fixed by Parliament King of Prussia
_Cabinet_ _Ministry_ Nineteen members[65] chosen by Eight ministers, Chancellor at the Prime minister the head, appointed by the Emperor
_Parliament_ _Parliament_ Limit of term, seven years Term, five years
_House of Lords_ _Bundesrath or General Council_ 586 members, holding seats 58 members appointed by the (1) by heredity, (2) by German States appointment by crown, (3) by election[66]
_House of Commons_ _Reichstag or Diet of the Realm_ 670 members elected by the 397 members elected by the people of England, Scotland, people and Ireland
[Footnote 65: The number of members in the ministries of England and Germany varies.]
[Footnote 66: Irish peers are elected for life, and Scottish peers are elected for the duration of a Parliament.]
[Footnote 67: This system finds its best illustration in the English government, of which a brief description will be found in "Government in State and Nation," pp. 157-160. For references, see questions 14 and 15, p. 161.]
The Form and the Spirit of Government.--The study of other governments and the comparison of them with our own will teach us that the virtue of a government resides, not in its framework, but in its spirit. A government may be monarchical in form and republican in its practical workings. In England, and in others of the European monarchies, the will of the people is the law of the land. On the other hand, a government may be republican in form, and very unrepublican in its methods of operation. There are cities and States in our country where one man, the political boss, or a group of men, the political machine, dictates the course of legislation and controls the administration of the law. Here we find, in reality, not republican governments, but despotisms or oligarchies.
The final test of a government is found in the responsiveness of the governing authorities to the will of the majority of the people. Wherever republican institutions are found, whether in republics or in monarchies, the people may rule if they will. Monarchical and aristocratic institutions do not in our time stand long in opposition to a determined public opinion; and, on the other hand, a framework of republican institutions will not insure the execution of the popular will. This can only be secured where high-minded citizens are vigilant in the performance of their political duties.