Although democracy is, in principle, the antithesis of dynastic rule, families with multiple members in elective office continue to be common around the world.
Smith sets out to explain when and why dynasties.
In Dynasties and Democracy , Daniel M.
Japan is a startling exception, with over a quarter of all legislators in recent years being dynastic.
In most democracies, the proportion of such "democratic dynasties" declines over time, and rarely exceeds ten percent of all legislators.
Although democracy is, in principle, the antithesis of dynastic rule, families with multiple members in elective office continue to be common around the world