If they turn out to be equal, there is no greater
difficulty than at present, when, if the assembly or the courts are
divided, recourse is had to the lot, or to some similar expedient.
But, although it may be difficult in theory to know what is just and
equal, the practical difficulty of inducing those to forbear who
can, if they like, encroach, is far greater, for the weaker are always
asking for equality and justice, but the stronger care for none of
these things.
IV
Of the four kinds of democracy, as was said in the in the previous
discussion, the best is that which comes first in order; it is also
the oldest of them all. I am speaking of them according to the natural
classification of their inhabitants. For the best material of
democracy is an agricultural population; there is no difficulty in
forming a democracy where the mass of the people live by agriculture
or tending of cattle. Being poor, they have no leisure, and
therefore do not often attend the assembly, and not having the
necessaries of life they are always at work, and do not covet the
property of others. Indeed, they find their employment pleasanter than
the cares of government or office where no great gains can be made out
of them, for the many are more desirous of gain than of honor. A proof
is that even the ancient tyrannies were patiently endured by them,
as they still endure oligarchies, if they are allowed to work and
are not deprived of their property; for some of them grow quickly rich
and the others are well enough off.
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