Most of us probably hold the view that despite the corruption and inefficiencies plaguing modern governments, we at least have a democratic government answerable to the people at some point rather than the despotic monarchies of earlier days. However a closer look at the role of modern governments in our day today lifes will paint a less rosier picture.
While it is true that many monarchial governments in earlier days were repressive, despotic and didn't care what people thought, they had one interesting feature. Their involvement in the citizens personal life was limited. For eg they did not generally force their will on citizens in the following areas.
2) The persons freedom on what he should do with his land or money.
3) Report the total income they made by their own effort.
The Democratic governments of today force (directly or implicitly) its citizens to follow its directives on all the things listed above and more. Also they have no problem in committing most of the repressive actions that are being accused on the Monarchical governments like:
1) Forcible detention of a citizen for any reason.
2) Censoring newspapers and media.
3) Forcible displacement of citizens from their property.
A reasonable and fair analysis of today's democratic governments with monarchical governments can no doubt show that we have traded away some of our important personal freedoms for an illusion of representation in the halls of power.
Note: The term monarchical governments does not include military dictatorships or constitutional monarchies.
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