There are
other constitutions in which the boards of magistrates meet and
deliberate, but come into office by turns, and are elected out of
the tribes and the very smallest divisions of the state, until every
one has obtained office in his turn. The citizens, on the other
hand, are assembled only for the purposes of legislation, and to
consult about the constitution, and to hear the edicts of the
magistrates. In another variety of democracy the citizen form one
assembly, but meet only to elect magistrates, to pass laws, to
advise about war and peace, and to make scrutinies. Other matters
are referred severally to special magistrates, who are elected by vote
or by lot out of all the citizens Or again, the citizens meet about
election to offices and about scrutinies, and deliberate concerning
war or alliances while other matters are administered by the
magistrates, who, as far as is possible, are elected by vote. I am
speaking of those magistracies in which special knowledge is required.
A fourth form of democracy is when all the citizens meet to deliberate
about everything, and the magistrates decide nothing, but only make
the preliminary inquiries; and that is the way in which the last and
worst form of democracy, corresponding, as we maintain, to the close
family oligarchy and to tyranny, is at present administered.
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