Were there a people of gods, their government would be democratic. So perfect a government is not for men.

Aristocracy

We have here two quite distinct moral persons, the government and the Sovereign, and in consequence two general wills, one general in relation to all the citizens, the other only for the members of the administration. Thus, although the government may regulate its internal policy as it pleases, it can never speak to the people save in the name of the Sovereign, that is, of the people itself, a fact which must not be forgotten.

The first societies governed themselves aristocratically. The heads of families took counsel together on public affairs. The young bowed without question to the authority of experience. Hence such names as “priests,” “elders,” “senate,” and “gerontes.” The savages of North America govern themselves in this way even now, and their government is admirable.