They required a strong, stable monarchy in command of a strong army.
Traditionally in many European countries, notably Italy and France, several parties competed for power and no one party proved able to command stable majorities in the parliament.
In Spain, for example, similar polls suggest that democracy commands the stable support of three-quarters of the respondents.The economy is not the only problem.
In the 1990s, as a correspondent in Berlin, I watched the rise of the new EU from the rubble of the Berlin Wall; the Franco-German project to lead a stable and prosperous Europe commanded deep support.
When Fox or ESPN has millions of viewers online and commands a stable of premium content, the balance of power starts to change.
Achieving something useful politically in Iraq means replacing Saddam Hussein's government with one that is not only decent and just, but also competent and stable, and that manages to command the support of the majority of the Iraqi people.
Likewise, each Islamist challenge will strengthen those in the army arguing for further suppression.Go back to your barracksIf the generals want a stable Egypt, in which they command the loyalty of ordinary Egyptians, they should therefore draw back from the brink.
What most observers are agreed on, is the fact that African leaders must embark on some self-help and home-made remedies that will make their countries political stable and economically competitive to command the attention of the Trump administration.
Although the economy has grown, Mr García is unpopular (as was Mr Toledo).Stability is relativeHaving listed these problems, Martín Tanaka, a political scientist in Lima, points out that "Peru is quite a stable country" where economic policy commands a broad consensus.
