Monarchy vs Aristocracy vs Democracy (Roman philosopher & stateman Cicero)

Of the three main types of government, monarchy is in my opinion by far the most preferable.

But a moderate and balanced form of government combining all three [monarch plus aristocracy plus democracy] is even better than kingship.

This sort of state would have an executive with preeminent and royal qualities, but also grant certain powers both to the leading citizens and to the people according to their wishes and judgment.

This kind of constitution first of all offers a great degree of equality to citizens, something free people can scarcely do without for long, but it also provides stability.

When one type of government alone rules, it frequently decays into the corresponding degenerate form—the king becomes a tyrant, the aristocracy turns into a factional oligarchy, and democracy becomes mob rule and anarchy.

But while a single form of government often turns into something else, a mixed and balanced system remains stable, unless the leaders are unusually wicked. For there is no reason for a government to change when each citizen is guaranteed his own role and there is no underlying debased form into which it might slip and fall.

'How to Run a Country: An Ancient Guide for Modern Leaders' by Marcus Tullius Cicero
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0691156573/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_yu0EAbPA55CGF