What type of government would you say the Klingons have?

[Martok]

I've posted this question in the BOTF forums as well, but I'm curious as to what you folks think: 

I've long debated in my own mind what kind of government the Klingons would be classified as having, but I've never really been able to come up with a satisfactory answer.  Are they a feudal aristocracy?  A feudal monarchy?  A primitive (or proto-) constitutional monarchy?  A simple dictatorship? 

I'd love to know what your guys' views on this are! 

[Jatal Khyron]

I'd have to say a somewhat democratic oligarchy. Since most of the members of the Klingon High Council are from 'noble' houses (with the exception of Martok, who kinda mustanged his way thru the ranks), the elite rule thru demands of honor and glory.

Well, that's my opinion...

[Cleopatra]

I agree with Jatal. I guess it's similar to Japan or Germany before WWI. The leader is called a Chancellor like in Germany, and most postions are held by members of the warrior caste.

[Storm Windfall]

Klingon society is based on a feudal system organized around traditional Great Houses of noble lineage, to which various parts of the population owed fealty. The Great Houses are traditionally represented in the Klingon High Council, which is led by a Chancellor.

(Memory Alpha)

[Martok]

Klingon society is based on a feudal system organized around traditional Great Houses of noble lineage, to which various parts of the population owed fealty. The Great Houses are traditionally represented in the Klingon High Council, which is led by a Chancellor.

(Memory Alpha)

That description is true as far as it goes, but it sidesteps the actual question of what kind of government the Klingons have.  I suspect Jatal is on the right track, although even then his description seems....incomplete somehow. 

Perhaps a feudal oligarchic autocracy?  I'm not sure. 

[Storm Windfall]

Actually, my first thought was Spartan.. but that was based solely on their warrior status