Again, in oligarchies either the
people ought to accept the measures of the government, or not to
pass anything contrary to them; or, if all are allowed to share in
counsel, the decision should rest with the magistrates. The opposite
of what is done in constitutional governments should be the rule in
oligarchies; the veto of the majority should be final, their assent
not final, but the proposal should be referred back to the
magistrates. Whereas in constitutional governments they take the
contrary course; the few have the negative, not the affirmative power;
the affirmation of everything rests with the multitude.
These, then, are our conclusions respecting the deliberative, that
is, the supreme element in states.
XV
Next we will proceed to consider the distribution of offices; this
too, being a part of politics concerning which many questions arise:
What shall their number be? Over what shall they preside, and what
shall be their duration? Sometimes they last for six months, sometimes
for less; sometimes they are annual, while in other cases offices
are held for still longer periods. Shall they be for life or for a
long term of years; or, if for a short term only, shall the same
persons hold them over and over again, or once only? Also about the
appointment to them- from whom are they to be chosen, by whom, and
how? We should first be in a position to say what are the possible
varieties of them, and then we may proceed to determine which are
suited to different forms of government.
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