The Fight for the Republic in ChinaPutnam Weale, B. L. (Bertram Lenox)
History
The Fight for the Republic in China
Putnam Weale, B. L. (Bertram Lenox)
China -- History -- Republic, 1912-1949; China -- Politics and government
A country must have a certain form of government, and usually the
particular form of government of a particular country is not the
result of the choice of the people of that country. There is not any
possibility even for the most intellectual to exercise any mental
influence over the question. Whether it be a monarchy or republic,
it cannot be the creation of human power except when it is suitable
to the historical, habitual, social and financial conditions of that
country. If an unsuitable form of government is decided upon, it may
remain for a short while, but eventually a system better suited will
take its place.
In short, the form of government of a country is usually the natural
and only result of its circumstances. The reasons for such an
outcome are many, but the principal one is Force. If we study the
monarchical countries we will find that usually a dynasty is created
by a person who is capable of controlling the force of the entire
country and overthrowing other persons opposed to him, working
towards his goal with an undaunted spirit. If this man is capable of
ruling the nation and if he is a rare genius of the day, and the
conditions of the country are suited for a monarchical government,
he as a rule creates a new dynasty and his descendants inherit the
same from generation to generation.
If this is so, then the solution of a difficult position of a
country is to be found in a monarchy rather than a republic. For on
the death of a monarch no doubt exists as to who shall succeed him,
and there is no need of an election or other procedure. Englishmen
say, "The King is dead, Long live the King." This expresses the
point. But in order to attain this point it is necessary that the
law of succession be definitely defined and publicly approved;
otherwise there will not be lacking, on the death of the monarch,
men aspiring to the throne; and as no one is qualified to settle the
dispute for power, internal disturbance will be the result.
Historically speaking no law of succession is so permanently
satisfactory as that used by the nations of Europe. According to
this system the right of succession belongs to the eldest son of the
monarch, or failing him, the nearest and eldest male relative. The
right of succession, however, may be voluntarily surrendered by the
rightful successor if he so desires; thus if the eldest son declines
to succeed to the throne the second son takes his place. This is the
rule of Europe.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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