$options = array("value" => array("edict", "erep"), "text" => array("Dictatorship", "Republic"));

$gov_options = '<option value="eother">Other</option>';

foreach ($options as $option) {
	$gov_options .= printf('<option value="%s"%s>%s</option>', $option['value'], ($option['text'] == $row['government']) ? ' SELECTED' : '', $option['text']);
}