National Principle Decides Government Form

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The best society, according to Montesquieu, is a matter of connecting the right form of government to the national principle of the people. “The government most conformable to nature,” says Montesquieu, “is that which best agrees with the humor and disposition of the people in whose favor it is established.” For instance, if the people esteem their leaders with honor, then this particular society’s best form of government would be a monarchy. If with fear, then the correct form would be despotic. On the other hand, if a people loved their country and perpetuated the value of political virtue, according to Montesquieu, then this society’s best form of government would be a republic. The United States was established upon political virtue, which can best be described as both a love of country and for the rule of law; its government was a democratic republic.

As I look at the people surrounding me in our once democratic republic, I see a change in the governing principle from its former political virtue, as well as private virtue, to that of extreme equality and commercialism. Many leaders and experts agree that our founding constitution is not compatible with our nation’s people any longer. I will have to agree with them. It is true that our national principle of equality and commercialism is pulling us along the path of pure democracy or socialism. Once the Constitution was completed, a woman asked Benjamin Franklin what the Founders had given the nation. He replied, “A republic, Madam, if you can keep it.” If Ben Franklin and Montesquieu were here they would certainly suggest that our best government, in relation to our national principle of extreme equality, should be a social democracy; a massive paternal government.

Is this the government that we want, one that will suck every drop of ambition from its people and leave them in a mess of mediocrity? If not, then everything depends on establishing the lost political virtue that America once had. “To inspire it ought to be the principal business of education: but the surest way of instilling it into children is for parents to set them an example,” says Montesquieu. Dinner discussions apropos the Founding Fathers, rule of law and love of country will invite the national principle of political virtue to return to our communities. By fostering a love of God, implementing a classical education and turning toward a true free market economy, we could have the very best of societies once again, that of a republic. It all depends on you.