either those who have the power in an oligarchy or
those who desire a democracy, but so as they may be
able to conduct either of these forms of governments.
But now the children of the magistrates in an oligarchy
are brought up too delicately, and the children of
the poor hardy with exercise and labour; so that they
are both desirous of and able to promote innovations.
In democracies of the purest form they pursue a method
which is contrary to their welfare; the reason of
which is, that they define liberty wrong: now,
there are two things which seem to be the objects of
a democracy, that the people in general should possess
the supreme power, and all enjoy freedom; for that
which is just seems to be equal, and what the people
think equal, that is a law: now, their freedom
and equality consists in every one’s doing what
they please: that is in such a democracy every
one may live as he likes; “as his inclination
guides,” in the words of Euripides: but
this is wrong, for no one ought to think it slavery
to live in subjection to government, but protection.
Thus I have mentioned the causes of corruption in
different states, and the means of their preservation.
CHAPTER X
It now remains that we speak of monarchies, their
causes of corruption, and means of preservation; and
indeed almost the same things which have been said
of other governments happen to kingdoms and tyrannies;
for a kingdom partakes of an aristocracy, a tyranny
of the worst species of an oligarchy and democracy;
for which reason it is the worst that man can submit
to, as being composed of two, both of which are bad,
and collectively retains all the corruptions and all
the defects of both these states. These two species
of monarchies arise from principles contrary to each
other: a kingdom is formed to protect the better
sort of people against the multitude, and kings are
appointed out of those, who are chosen either for their
superior virtue and actions flowing from virtuous
principles, or else from their noble descent; but
a tyrant is chosen out of the meanest populace; an
enemy to the better sort, that the common people may
not be oppressed by them. That this is true experience
convinces us; for the generality of tyrants were indeed
mere demagogues, who gained credit with the people
by oppressing the nobles. Some tyrannies were
established in this manner after the cities were considerably
enlarged—others before that time, by kings
who exceeded the power which their country allowed
them, from a desire of governing despotically:
others were founded by those who were elected to the
superior offices in the state; for formerly the people
appointed officers for life, who came to be at the
head of civil and religious affairs, and these chose
one out of their body in whom the supreme power over
all the magistrates was placed. By all these means
it was easy to establish a tyranny, if they chose
it; for their power was ready at hand, either by their
Copyrights
Politics: A Treatise on Government from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.
