CHAPTER VIII.

OF THE SEVERAL KINDS OF GOVERNMENTS.

Because _hortation_ and _dehortation_ concern the commonwealth, and are drawn from the elements of good and evil; as we have spoken of them already in the _abstract_, so we must speak of them also in the _concrete_, that is, of what is good or evil to each sort of commonwealth in special.

The government of a commonwealth is either _democracy_, or _aristocracy_, or _oligarchy_, or _monarchy_.

_Democracy_ is that, wherein all men with equal right are preferred to the highest magistracy by lot.

_Aristocracy_ is that, wherein the highest magistrate is chosen out of those that have had the best education, according to what the laws prescribe for best.

_Oligarchy_ is that, where the highest magistrate is chosen for wealth.

_Monarchy_ is that, wherein one man hath the government of all; which government, if he limit it by law, is called _kingdom_; if by his own will, _tyranny_.

The end of _democracy_, or the people’s government, is _liberty_.

The end of _oligarchy_, is the _riches of those that govern_.

The end of _aristocracy_, is _good laws_ and _good ordering of the city_.

The end of _monarchy_ or _kings_, is _the safety of the people and conservation of his own authority_.

_Good_ therefore in each sort of government, is that which conduceth to these their ends.

And because _belief_ is not gotten only by _proofs_, but also from _manners_; the _manners_ of each sort of commonwealth ought to be well understood by him that undertaketh to persuade or dissuade in matter of state. Their _manners_ may be known by their _designs_; and their _designs_ by their _ends_; and their _ends_ by what we see them take _pleasure_ in. But of this more accurately in the politics.

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