It's the main criterion. If the system doesn't last, then it's shit regardless of what it is. The main purpose of the government (and any organization, for that matter) is to exist for as long as possible, everything else comes second. I wonder what other criteria do you have in mind?
The argument is that they were a democratic republic.
several popular assemblies of all free citizens, possessing the power to elect magistrates from the populace and pass laws; and a series of magistracies with varying types of civil and political authority.
If you're referring to direct democracy, I suppose we could consider the Athenian democracy, though I think there are other examples from different regions on the planet through antiquity.
Popular assemblies composed of common citizens could maybe decide where to put a public toilet on a street. Most laws were passed by the senate (composed of aristocrats), and consuls/other top magistrates were appointed by the senate.
Look, Mr./Mrs. iAmATotallyReasonablePersonAndNotAnInsufferableCunt, are you going to provide some evidence of whatever point you're trying to make, or should we do this tit-for-tat some more?
Either way, no sweat. Happy to yell at the clouds with you until the heat-death of the universe.
Will you provide any evidence for your claims? It's not me who's claiming Roman republic was a democratic state (lol). "popular assemblies composed of common citizens" lol, look up centuriate assembly and see how many votes common sitizens had in it (spoiler: 0.5% of total votes).
If the Roman Republic, isn’t democratic enough for you, then, as I said, we could talk about the Athenians
Athenian democracy existed for less than 200 years and Athens were a village with 10k population. Might as well just talk about US so that democracy doesn't embarass itself.
Or perhaps the Iroquois League.
What about it?
The merit and utility of a system of governance is measured by how long it lasts
Yep.
What are you talking about, and send some links to back up whatever that is.
What's not clear to you? You said it yourself: ">The merit and utility of a system of governance is measured by how long it lasts". Let's conduct a thought experiment. What's better, your current government, or or new ideal government that has perfect conditions for its citizens, but only lasts for 1 day and then the state collapses?
A dictatorship may last for millennia, but the duration of a system of government's continuity is not the sole, nor most important, attribute when judging its legitimacy, utility, merit for all its citizens.
You're taking a teenage edgelord's, or if serious, a sociopath's dictator's position, as if that's something to aspire to be.
but the duration of a system of government’s continuity is not the sole, nor most important, attribute when judging its legitimacy, utility, merit for all its citizens.
Not all government forms have the institution of citizenship
Why isn't longevity the most important attribute? Any organization's goal is to last as long as possible. All other goals come second.
You’re taking a teenage edgelord’s, or if serious, a sociopath’s dictator’s position, as if that’s something to aspire to be.