BOOK IV - CHAPTER II

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_ Since, then, according to our first method in treating of the
different forms of government, we have divided those which are regular
into three sorts, the kingly, the aristocratical, the free states,
and shown the three excesses which these are liable to: the kingly, of
becoming tyrannical; the aristocratical, oligarchical; and the free
state, democratical: and as we have already treated of the
aristocratical and kingly; for to enter into an inquiry what sort of
government is best is the same thing as to treat of these two
expressly; for each of them desires to be established upon the
principles of virtue: and as, moreover, we have already determined
wherein a kingly power and an aristocracy differ from each other, and
when a state may be said to be governed by a king, it now remains that
we examine into a free state, and also these other governments, an
oligarchy, a democracy, and a [1289b] tyranny; and it is evident of
these three excesses which must be the worst of all, and which next to
it; for, of course, the excesses of the best and most holy must be the
worst; for it must necessarily happen either that the name of king
only will remain, or else that the king will assume more power than
belongs to him, from whence tyranny will arise, the worst excess
imaginable, a government the most contrary possible to a free state.
The excess next hurtful is an oligarchy; for an aristocracy differs
much from this sort of government: that which is least so is a
democracy. This subject has been already treated of by one of those
writers who have gone before me, though his sentiments are not the
same as mine: for he thought, that of all excellent constitutions, as
a good oligarchy or the like, a democracy was the worst, but of all
bad ones, the best.

Now I affirm, that all these states have, without exception, fallen
into excess; and also that he should not have said that one oligarchy
was better than another, but that it was not quite so bad. But this
question we shall not enter into at present. We shall first inquire
how many different sorts of free states there are; since there are
many species of democracies and oligarchies; and which of them is the
most comprehensive, and most desirable after the best form of
government; or if there is any other like an aristocracy, well
established; and also which of these is best adapted to most cities,
and which of them is preferable for particular persons: for, probably,
some may suit better with an oligarchy than a democracy, and others
better with a democracy than an oligarchy; and afterwards in what
manner any one ought to proceed who desires to establish either of
these states, I mean every species of democracy, and also of
oligarchy. And to conclude, when we shall have briefly gone through
everything that is necessary, we will endeavour to point out the
sources of corruption, and stability, in government, as well those
which are common to all as those which are peculiar to each state, and
from what causes they chiefly arise. _

Read next: BOOK IV: CHAPTER III

Read previous: BOOK IV: CHAPTER I

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