In both principles there is
some inequality and injustice. For if justice is the will of the
few, any one person who has more wealth than all the rest of the
rich put together, ought, upon the oligarchical principle, to have the
sole power- but this would be tyranny; or if justice is the will of
the majority, as I was before saying, they will unjustly confiscate
the property of the wealthy minority. To find a principle of
equality which they both agree we must inquire into their respective
ideas of justice.
Now they agree in saying that whatever is decided by the majority of
the citizens is to be deemed law. Granted: but not without some
reserve; since there are two classes out of which a state is composed-
the poor and the rich- that is to be deemed law, on which both or
the greater part of both agree; and if they disagree, that which is
approved by the greater number, and by those who have the higher
qualification. For example, suppose that there are ten rich and twenty
poor, and some measure is approved by six of the rich and is
disapproved by fifteen of the poor, and the remaining four of the rich
join with the party of the poor, and the remaining five of the poor
with that of the rich; in such a case the will of those whose
qualifications, when both sides are added up, are the greatest, should
prevail.
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