Final answer:
Britain was an oligarchy rather than a democracy because voting rights were limited to a small, wealthy elite and the House of Lords had significant power over legislation. Outdated electoral districts and 'rotten boroughs' also skewed representation in favor of the gentry class.
Step-by-step explanation:
The government of Britain during the early 19th century was an oligarchy rather than a democracy for several reasons. Despite having a constitutional monarchy with a parliament and two political parties, the right to vote was restricted to less than 5% of the population, primarily wealthy nobles, squires, and landowners. Additionally, the House of Lords, which consisted of hereditary nobles and high-ranking clergy, held veto power over any bills passed by the House of Commons, further entrenching the power of the elite.
The electoral system also contributed to this oligarchic nature. With outdated electoral districts and the presence of 'rotten boroughs,' representation was skewed in favor of the landowning gentry class, leaving the growing industrial cities underrepresented. Thus, political power was concentrated in the hands of a few, rather than being distributed democratically across the populace.