In the first part, therefore, of this treatise, in the division which we made of polities, we said, that three of them are upright, viz. a kingdom, an aristocracy, and a polity properly so called; but that there are three degeneracies of these, of a kingdom indeed, a tyranny; of an aristocracy, an oligarchy; and of a polity, a democracy. And of an aristocracy, indeed, and a kingdom, we have spoken. For the consideration of the best polity is the same thing as to speak concerning these names; since each of them wishes to be established according to virtue. Farther still, it has been before determined in what an aristocracy and a kingdom differ from each other, and when a state may be said to be governed by a king. It remains, therefore, that we should now discuss a polity, properly so called, and likewise the other forms of government, viz. an oligarchy, democracy, and tyranny. It is evident, therefore, which of these degeneracies is the worst, and which is the next to it. For the degeneracy of the first and most divine polity, is necessarily the worst. For it is necessary that the kingly government should either possess the name only, not having itself a real existence, or that it should subsist through the king assuming a greater excess of power than belongs to him. So that a tyranny, which is the worst form of government, will differ the most of all others from a polity. But the second degeneracy is an oligarchy; for an aristocracy is very different from this polity. And the most moderate of the degeneracies is a democracy. A certain person, therefore, who has written on the subject before me, is of the same opinion, though he does not look to the same thing as we do. For he judged that a democracy is the worst of all worthy governments, such as a good oligarchy, and the rest, but the best of all bad governments. But we in short say, that these governments are erroneous; and that it is not well to assert, that one oligarchy is better than another, but that it is less bad. At present, however, we shall omit the discussion of this opinion. And, in the first place, it is requisite to show by division how many differences there are of polities; since there are many species of a democracy and oligarchy. In the next place we must show which is the most common and the most eligible form of government, after the best polity; or if there happens to be any other aristocratic and well-established polity; and, also, which of these is adapted to most cities; and which of the other polities is eligible to certain persons. For, perhaps, to some persons a democracy is more necessary than an oligarchy; but to others, the latter rather than the former. After these things, likewise, we must show after what manner he ought to proceed who wishes to establish these polities; I mean democracies, and again oligarchies, according to their several species. And, in the last place, when we have concisely mentioned all these, we must endeavour to show what are the corruptions, and what the preservations of polities, both in common, and of each separately, and through what causes these things are naturally adapted to happen.
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