The Cabinet System of Government.—­In the relations existing between their legislative and executive departments, the European governments differ considerably from that of the United States.  In our government we find, in theory at least, that these departments are separated; in the European governments there is a close relation of the legislative and executive branches, through some form of “cabinet responsibility.”  This “cabinet system” of government is found in the republics as well as in the constitutional monarchies of Europe, and in the self-governing British possessions, such as Canada and the Australian colonies.[67] The difference between the congressional and the cabinet systems is greater in appearance than in reality; for in the United States the President and his Cabinet exert considerable influence upon legislation.

ENGLAND GERMANY

Monarch—­hereditary in the       Emperor—­hereditary
line fixed by Parliament         King of Prussia

Cabinet Ministry Nineteen members[65] chosen by Eight ministers, Chancellor at the Prime minister the head, appointed by the
                                 Emperor

Parliament                Parliament
Limit of term, seven years       Term, five years

House of Lords Bundesrath or General Council 586 members, holding seats 58 members appointed by the (1) by heredity, (2) by German States appointment by crown, (3) by election[66]

House of Commons Reichstag or Diet of the Realm 670 members elected by the 397 members elected by the people of England, Scotland, people and Ireland

[Footnote 65:  The number of members in the ministries of England and Germany varies.]

[Footnote 66:  Irish peers are elected for life, and Scottish peers are elected for the duration of a Parliament.]

[Footnote 67:  This system finds its best illustration in the English government, of which a brief description will be found in “Government in State and Nation,” pp. 157-160.  For references, see questions 14 and 15, p. 161.]

The Form and the Spirit of Government.—­The study of other governments and the comparison of them with our own will teach us that the virtue of a government resides, not in its framework, but in its spirit.  A government may be monarchical in form and republican in its practical workings.  In England, and in others of the European monarchies, the will of the people is the law of the land.  On the other hand, a government may be republican in form, and very unrepublican in its methods of operation.  There are cities and States in our country where one man, the political boss, or a group of men, the political machine, dictates the course of legislation and controls the administration of the law.  Here we find, in reality, not republican governments, but despotisms or oligarchies.