Natural Government: The Three Iron Laws of the Mixed Constitution

Authors

  • Akekalak Chaiyapumee Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61462/cujss.v48i1.762

Keywords:

natural government, mixed constitution, The Three Iron Laws

Abstract

This article aims to delineate the idea of natural government as the premise for the theory of the mixed constitution since antiquity through “the iron law of three elements” or “the iron laws of the mixed constitution” which are invoked according to specific conditions and natures of the constituent elements. The idea consists of (1) the iron law of democratic element (2) the iron law of oligarchic element, and (3) the iron law of monarchical element. While the first iron law concerns the legitimacy condition of every polity, the second one focuses mainly on the operational and efficient parts of the constitution which stipulates that every constitution must rely on few dominant actors on a number of specific tasks and functions in the governmental and sub-governmental levels in order to execute various rules and regulations. Lastly, the iron law of monarchical element, engendered from what can be termed as “the rise of crown government” in the age of globalization, requires that every regime must seek a strong executive to fill the executive gap of the regulatory state and wield power during emergency situations decisively. This appears in the form of modern constitutional dictatorship.

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Published

16-09-2022

How to Cite

Chaiyapumee, Akekalak. 2022. “Natural Government: The Three Iron Laws of the Mixed Constitution”. Chulalongkorn University Journal of Social Sciences 48 (1). Bangkok, Thailand:171-96. https://doi.org/10.61462/cujss.v48i1.762.

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Section

Research Articles