How Did St. Thomas Make A Successful Government

St. Thomas, among many others, have studied and theorized what makes for a successful government. One aspect of a successful government according to St. Thomas was the involvement citizens in government. Aragon, established in 1031, formed their government around having a perfect balance between the power of the people and the power of the ruler. This system was so efficient, Aragon lasted for 466 years without changing anything.
The kings of Aragon were given a very small amount of power despite being in the highest position. His job was to be a leader and protector of the people rather than their ruler. He didn’t even have to ability to choose a successor for the throne! Kings were elected by the people, though a current king could give

a suggestion. To avoid tyranny, a king could not pass a law on his own. In order to pass a law, the king would need the approval form the people during a meeting that took place about once a year. The king’s most powerful position was head judge, in which he persecuted wrong-doers and settled disputes. It almost seems as if the king had no use, but the king had one thing that no one else had. The king’s job was to be aware of all situations concerning the country in ways the people would not be able to, especially in the realm of military. The king would know of any outside threat and present a solution to ensure the safety of the people. The king was also the only one who could enforce the law, preventing the people from being completely self-sustaining.
Citizens involved in government affairs were called the cortes. The cortes consisted of representatives from each social class chosen by the people in their respected class. When the annual meeting came, the cortes were equipped with concerns and suggestions to present to the king and the rest of the cortes for consideration. This was the time that laws were passed, since only the cortes had the power to pass laws, as well as elections for kings and other government officials.
Among these elected officials were judges. Judges settled small disputes across the kingdom, such as property damage or theft. Along with small cases that are easily resolved, the judges maintained the law in cases with the king as judge. This is to ensure that the king does not made any decisions that contradict what the law has in place. With the people as the electors of the judges, the position of judges is in the best interest of the public.
Aragon’s government system was constructed in a way to ensure that the people were safe from even the slightest possibility of tyranny by involving them with every part of government, emulating what St. Thomas said about what makes for a successful government. This stability and balance is what allowed Aragon to exist for so long, leaving it as one of the most successful forms of government to ever be put in practice.