Final answer:
The 1631 voting rights in early American colonies were an example of a theocratic government because voting was limited to church members, indicating rule based on religious authority.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1631, the voting rights granted to church members in early American colonies were reflective of a theocratic government. Despite some democratic aspects, such as the New England town meetings, the overall system was not democratic as the term is commonly understood since the right to vote was restricted to a select group based on religious affiliation. The correct answer to the question is c) A theocratic government.
This form of government differs significantly from universal suffrage, which involves extending the right to vote to all adult citizens regardless of race, gender, belief, or social status. Moreover, it was not an instance of direct democracy, where all decisions are made by the voting of all citizens because the right to vote was not universally available. Finally, while it was an example of rule by a select few, these were not necessarily elite individuals based on wealth or birth, which aligns closer with the concept of oligarchic rule.