Those who have read Srila Prabhupada ’s opinions on forms of government, are aware that he took a generally dim view of democracy, as opposed to the monarchical form of government that prevailed in Vedic times. The philosophers of early Western Civilization, like Plato, generally believed that monarchy was the best form of government. It makes sense that power should be vested in the person who is best qualified to exercise it on behalf of society. Naturally such a person should (and would) take advice and counsel from others. However, the final decision would be his or hers’ alone, and this would permit the most efficient exercise of power. Such a person would be groomed from birth, for the position, and would possess leadership, and moral qualities, to the highest degree. Such were the Rajasi or Philosopher-kings of Vedic and later times.
Press Interview at Muthilal Rao’s House — August 17, 1976, Hyderabad:
Prabhupada:
“Politician, of course, it is, in the Bhagavad-gita 4.2, it is stated,
‘This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way. But in course of time the succession was broken, and therefore the science as it is, appears to be lost.’
This system, this science, was understood by the rajasi, kings who were as good as rsis, rajasis. So where is that politician, politician as good as a rsi (sage)? That is the difficulty. It is meant for rajasi. Raja and rsi. Just like Janaka Maharaja, Pariksit Maharaja, Yudhisthira Maharaja, Prahlada Maharaja, they were kings, but they were at the same time so great and saintly, they were called rajasi, and this is a subject matter for the rajasis. …
… So where is rajasi? That is the difficulty. Where is that brahmana, where is that ksatriya, where is that system? Now anyone can capture the political power by hook and crook, that is another thing. But it is meant for the rajasi, Where is their training? The politician, where he is trained up as rsi? There is no such service.”