[1292b]
[1]
another is when
the magistracies are filled from high assessments and the magistrates themselves
elect to fill vacancies （so that if they do so from all the citizens of
this assessment, this appears rather to be of the nature of an aristocracy, but
if from a particular section of them, it is oligarchical）; another
variety of oligarchy is when son succeeds father in office; and a fourth kind is
when the hereditary system just mentioned exists and also the magistrates govern
and not the law. This among oligarchies is the form corresponding to tyranny
among monarchies and to the form of democracy about which we spoke last among
democracies, and indeed oligarchy of this sort has the special name of
dynasty.1
So
many therefore are the kinds of oligarchy and of democracy; but it must not
escape notice that in many places it has come about that although the
constitution as framed by the laws is not democratic, yet owing to custom and
the social system it is democratically administered, and similarly by a reverse
process in other states although the legal constitution is more democratic, yet
by means of the social system and customs it is carried on rather as an
oligarchy. This occurs chiefly after alterations of the constitutions have taken
place; for the people do not change over to the new system immediately but are
content at the first stages to gain small advantages from the other
party,
[20]
so that the previously
existing laws continue although power is in the hands of the party that is
changing the constitution.And that these various kinds of democracy and oligarchy
exist is manifest from the actual things that have been said. For necessarily
either all the parts of the population that have been mentioned must have a
share in the government, or some and not others. When therefore the farmer class
and the class possessed of moderate property is sovereign over the government,
they govern according to laws; for they have a livelihood if they work, but are
not able to be at leisure, so that they put the law in control and hold the
minimum of assemblies necessary; and the other persons have the right to take
part when they have acquired the property-assessment fixed by the laws, so that
to take part in the government is open to all who have got that amount of
property; since for it not to be open to everybody on any terms at all is a
characteristic of oligarchy, but then on the other hand it is impossible for it
to be open to them to have leisure if there are no revenues.2 This then is one kind of democracy
for these reasons. Another kind is
due to the distinction that comes next: it is possible that all the citizens not
liable to objection on the score of birth may have the right to take part in the
assembly, but may actually take part only when they are able to be at leisure;
hence in a democracy of this nature the laws govern because there is no revenue.
A third kind is when all those who are free men have the right to take part in
the government yet do not do so because of the aforesaid reason, so that it
follows that in this form of democracy also the law governs.
1 Government controlled by a few powerful families. Cf. Thuc. 3.62.4, where the Thebans say, ‘In those days our state was not governed by an oligarchy that granted equal justice to all, nor yet by a democracy; the power was in the hands of a small cabal （ δυναστεία ὀλίγων ἀνδρῶν）, than which nothing is more opposed to law or to true political order, or more nearly resembles a tyranny’ （Jowett）.
2 i.e. revenues from abroad; the poor can only attend often if paid for attendance, and this can only be financed if the state has income from tribute or foreign property.
Aristotle. Aristotle in 23 Volumes, Vol. 21, translated by H. Rackham. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1944.
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