What was the political structure in the New England colonies like?

The New England colonies were founded by people who left
England to escape religious persecution. These were mostly Puritans who also had strict
beliefs of their own about proper conduct, and they disapproved of many customs and
behaviors that their English countrymen enjoyed. The English were happy for the Puritans
to leave, so as to stop hearing them complain, and the Pilgrims, as they called
themselves, embraced the opportunity to start anew in their own place, despite the
hardships they would face.

Without a monarchy and an
aristocracy to impose laws, and without a lower class to assign tedious tasks, the
middle class found itself in a perfect situation to practice democracy. The men were
responsible for providing for the families they brought with them, and they created
political structures that served their needs. Within the colonies they formed townships
that governed the activities of the inhabitants.

The
citizens of each town took seriously their personal responsibility to participate in the
governance of the town. They did not elect representatives. They participated in the
discussions, and voted for the projects and the taxes they would pay-- themselves. They
provided for record-keeping, and appointed clerks. They wrote laws to prescribe
acceptable behavior and outlaw what they deemed to be evil. The townspeople elected
magistrates to preside over courts to settle legal disputes and impose punishments, many
of which would be considered cruel today. But it was what the people of each township
wanted for themselves. Laws were not imposed by any sovereign monarch, but based on
common law and what they believed was their duty before God to have His will-- as they
understood it-- be done in the land God had given them.