ABSTRACT
Zeeland’s deputies to the Grand Assembly described the government of the Republic as being “mainly aristocratic and partly democratic “. The Zeelanders had reason for mentioning the democratic element, for they had never succeeded as thoroughly as the regents of Holland in eliminating the last traces of medieval democracy from their urban administrations. Polyarchy is older and more dignified than monarchy, as is attested even by holy scripture. Even in the days of the Romans the common people shared the government with the senate. Senatus populusque Romanus was written on their gates and on their banners.” An early opportunity for such a statement of principles arose immediately after the first Anglo-Dutch war. This war, which broke out in 1652, was the result of economic rivalry.
