This was the case of
Pisistratus at Athens, when he opposed the Pediaci: and of Theagenes
in Megara, who slaughtered the cattle belonging to the rich, after he
had seized those who kept them by the riverside. Dionysius also, for
accusing Daphnseus and the rich, was thought worthy of being raised to
a tyranny, from the confidence which the people had of his being a
popular man in consequence of these enmities. A government shall also
alter from its ancient and approved democratic form into one entirely
new, if there is no census to regulate the election of magistrates;
for, as the election is with the people, the demagogues who are
desirous of being in office, to flatter them, will endeavour with all
their power to make the people superior even to the laws. To prevent
this entirely, or at least in a great measure, the magistrates should
be elected by the tribes, and not by the people at large. These are
nearly the revolutions to which democracies are liable, and also the
causes from whence they arise.
CHAPTER VI
There are two things which of all others most evidently occasion a
revolution in an oligarchy; one is, when the people are ill used, for
then every individual is ripe for [1305b] sedition; more particularly
if one of the oligarchy should happen to be their leader; as Lygdamis,
at Naxus, who was afterwards tyrant of that island. Seditions also
which arise from different causes will differ from each other; for
sometimes a revolution is brought about by the rich who have no share
in the administration, which is in the hands of a very few indeed: and
this happened at Massilia, Ister, Heraclea, and other cities; for
those who had no share in the government ceased not to raise disputes
till they were admitted to it: first the elder brothers, and then the
younger also: for in some places the father and son are never in
office at the same time; in others the elder and younger brother: and
where this is observed the oligarchy partakes something of a free
state.
Pages:
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213