Page:Back to the Republic.djvu/33

 (1) an executive and (2) a legislative body, who, working together in a representative capacity, have all power of appointment, all power of legislation, all power to raise revenues and appropriate expenditures, and are required to create (3) a judiciary to pass upon the justice and legality of their governmental acts and to recognize (4) certain inherent individual rights. Take away any one or more of those four elements and you are drifting into autocracy. Add one or more to those four elements and you are drifting into democracy.

In an autocracy authority is derived through heredity, regardless of character, capacity or conduct. Rulers are chosen by virtue of their membership in the royal family; the people have no choice in their selection.

In a democracy authority is derived through mass-meeting, the initiative, the referendum, instructed delegates, or any other form of direct popular expression.

In a republic authority is derived through the election by the people of public officials to represent them.

The attitude of autocracy toward property is feudalistic. This is unjust and results in protest, and finally in rebellion, on the part of the people.