Revatīnandana: The Republican party is elephant, and the Democratic party is an ass, a donkey.
Prabhupāda: What is the value of vote for the asses? According to Vedic civilization there was democracy, but that democracy is selected committee. Just like in England there was Privy Council. So selected body of learned Brahmins and sages, they were guiding the king, and the king was himself was properly educated how to rule over, under religious principles. He was trained from the beginning of his life as prince. As the future heir of the throne he was trained, and at the same time, he was guided by a council of learned sages and brāhmins. They were looking over the activities of the king. As soon as there was some mistake they will see.
And there are instances; whenever there was a bad king, they were dethroned. Not for political purpose. He was dethroned, but his son was on the . . . just like Lord Rāmacandra did. Rāmacandra killed Rāvaṇa, but He never occupied the kingdom. His brother Vibhīṣaṇa proved to be faithful. He was enthroned. From the same family. And that was the system. Even a king was wrong, he would be dethroned, but from his family, either his son or brother or somebody would occupy there. Not that "Because I have conquered you, therefore I shall sit down." No. There are many instances. And therefore India was ruling all over the world. The emperor was in India, and the kings of different states, their family was.