BOOK VI - CHAPTER VI

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_ 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.

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. _

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