BOOK IV - CHAPTER V

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_ Of the different species of oligarchies one is, when the right to the
offices is regulated by a certain census; so that the poor, although
the majority, have no share in it; while all those who are included
therein take part in the management of public affairs. Another sort
is, when [1292b] the magistrates are men of very small fortune, who
upon any vacancy do themselves fill it up: and if they do this out of
the community at large, the state approaches to an aristocracy; if out
of any particular class of people, it will be an oligarchy. Another
sort of oligarchy is, when the power is an hereditary nobility. The
fourth is, when the power is in the same hands as the other, but not
under the control of law; and this sort of oligarchy exactly
corresponds to a tyranny in monarchies, and to that particular species
of democracies which I last mentioned in treating of that state: this
has the particular name of a dynasty. These are the different sorts of
oligarchies and democracies.

It should also be known, that it often happens that a free state,
where the supreme power is in the laws, may not be democratic, and yet
in consequence of the established manners and customs of the people,
may be governed as if it was; so, on the other hand, where the laws
may countenance a more democratic form of government, these may make
the state inclining to an oligarchy; and this chiefly happens when
there has been any alteration in the government; for the people do not
easily change, but love their own ancient customs; and it is by small
degrees only that one thing takes place of another; so that the
ancient laws will remain, while the power will be in the hands of
those who have brought about a revolution in the state. _

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