But with respect to the species of an oligarchy, one is, when the right to public offices is regulated by the possession of so much property, so that the poor, who are the majority, have no share in the government; while all those who are included in this census, take part in the management of the polity. Another species is, when the magistrates are men of small fortune, and choose others in the place of those that fail. If, therefore, they do this out of the community at large, the polity would rather seem to be an aristocracy; but if out of a certain definite class of people, it will be oligarchic. Another species of an oligarchy is, when the son succeeds the father in the management of public affairs. But the fourth is, when that takes place which has been just mentioned, and the law does not rule, but the governors. And this species in oligarchies corresponds to a tyranny in monarchies, and to the last mentioned species of a democratical government among democracies. An oligarchy, therefore, of this kind was called a dynasty. So many then are the species of an oligarchy and a democracy. It is necessary, however, not to be ignorant that it frequently happens, that a polity which is conformable to the laws, is not a democracy; but yet, in consequence of the established manners and customs of the people, it is governed like a popular state. In a similar manner again, in other polities it happens, that the government, which is conformable to the laws, is of a more democratic form; but, by education and manners, it inclines more to an oligarchy. This, however, especially happens after the mutations of polities. For the people are not immediately changed, but love their ancient customs, and it is by small degrees that they usurp an unjust authority over each other; so that the pre-existing laws indeed remain, but those who change the polity possess the supreme authority.
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