Chapter 6

What has been already said will almost of itself sufficiently show how an oligarchy ought to be founded; for he who would frame such a state should have in his view a democracy to oppose it; for every species of oligarchy should be founded on principles diametrically opposite to some species of democracy.

What has already been said should almost be enough on its own to show how an oligarchy should be founded. Anyone creating such a state should therefore keep in mind a democracy as its opposite. For every type of oligarchy should rest on principles directly opposed to those of some type of democracy.

The first and best-framed oligarchy is that which approaches near to what we call a free state; in which there ought to be two different census, the one high, the other low: from those who are within the latter the ordinary officers of the state ought to be chosen; from the former the supreme magistrates: nor should any one be excluded from a part of the administration who was within the census; which should be so regulated that the commonalty who are included in it should by means thereof be superior to those who have no share in the government; for those who are to have the management of public affairs ought always to be chosen out of the better sort of the people. Much in the same manner ought that oligarchy to be established which is next in order: but as to that which is most opposite to a pure democracy, and approaches nearest to a dynasty and a tyranny, as it is of all others the worst, so it requires the greatest care and caution to preserve it: for as bodies of sound and healthy constitutions and ships which are well manned and well found for sailing can bear many injuries without perishing, while a diseased body or a leaky ship with an indifferent crew cannot support the [1321a] least shock; so the worst-established governments want most looking after. A number of citizens is the preservation of a democracy; for these are opposed to those rights which are founded in rank: on the contrary, the preservation of an oligarchy depends upon the due regulation of the different orders in the society.

The first and best-designed oligarchy comes close to what we call a free state. It should have two property qualifications, one high and one low. Ordinary state officials should be chosen from those who meet the lower qualification. The highest officials should be chosen from those who meet the higher qualification. No one who meets the property qualification should be excluded from a share in governing. The qualification should be set so that ordinary citizens who qualify outnumber those excluded from government. For those who manage public affairs should always be chosen from the better sort of people. The next type of oligarchy should be established in much the same way. But the oligarchy most opposed to pure democracy comes closest to rule by a powerful family and to tyranny. As the worst of all oligarchies, it requires the greatest care and caution to preserve. Healthy bodies and ships with good crews and proper equipment can withstand much damage without being destroyed. By contrast, a diseased body or a leaky ship with a mediocre crew cannot withstand the [1321a] slightest shock. In the same way, the worst-organized governments need the most attention. A large number of citizens preserves a democracy, because these citizens oppose rights based on rank. By contrast, preserving an oligarchy depends on properly regulating society’s different classes.