According to the definition of monarchy given above, it would appear that ISKCON was a monarchy during Prabhupada’s lifetime. The ultimate decision-making authority was in the hands of the wisest and best member of the society; His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. The explosive growth of ISKCON during this period, while certainly a complex phenomenon, is largely attributable to its ideal form of government, a monarchy where Srila Prabhupada was basically the king and fully qualified person to be king.
Moreover, it is equally clear that immediately after Prabhupada’s disappearance, the government of ISKCON was transformed into an oligarchy composed of the eleven “successor acharyas” that were elected and authorized by GBC resolutions. Essentially, these eleven men carved up the world among themselves, and with a few exceptions, their own status seemed to be their foremost consideration. In this regard, there was a 12th GBC who was solicited by 2 of the eleven GBC’s who had already agreed to the scheme to take over ISKCON.
After they explained to him what their scheme was, he asked,
“Why are you doing this?”
One of them replied,
“IT IS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY …. PRABHU”!
Regardless, that this sought-after 12th GBC, was at that time, a corrupt disciple of Srila Prabhupada, he refused to be involved in the hi-jacking of Srila Prabhupada’s movement.
It is a fact, and truth that of these 11 GBC’s who seize possession and control of ISKCON; 9 of them have fallen back to material life after being exposed of committing various heinous acts; which this Treaties is not going to repeat. Heinous, is the appropriate adjective to use in this regard, and you can take that to the bank.
Before we continue with this thread, let us look at what forms of government that have ever existed on this planet earth. We will also look at what form of government Srila Prabhupada desired for his Krishna consciousness Movement.