Talking about types of governance and their inherent weaknesses and strengths is totally my thing.
In a precursor to Aristotle's map of types of governance, Plato lays out five major types of relationships between ruler and ruled. The first dividing factor between types is by the number of rulers, which creates three classifications:
One ruler is a monarchy A few rulers is an oligarchy Many rules is a democracy
There's another distinction, though:
Oligarchy and aristocracy are both rule of the few, with aristocracy being the few wealthy (or best) and oligarchy being the few lawless. Then, of course, tyranny and monarchy are the rule of one, though tyranny is the one lawless ruler, which leaves monarchy as the alternative.
Interestingly, Plato doesn't make any distinctions regarding democracy - it's all a rabble of passions, lacking expertise. Aristotle would later talk about mixed governance. The mix of oligarchy and democracy would create the polity, a virtuous form of government which more represents a modern republic.
Coincidentally, the mix of monarchy, oligarchy, and democracy also characterizes Plato's own Republic.
In a precursor to Aristotle's map of types of governance, Plato lays out five major types of relationships between ruler and ruled. The first dividing factor between types is by the number of rulers, which creates three classifications:
One ruler is a monarchy
A few rulers is an oligarchy
Many rules is a democracy
There's another distinction, though:
Oligarchy and aristocracy are both rule of the few, with aristocracy being the few wealthy (or best) and oligarchy being the few lawless. Then, of course, tyranny and monarchy are the rule of one, though tyranny is the one lawless ruler, which leaves monarchy as the alternative.
Interestingly, Plato doesn't make any distinctions regarding democracy - it's all a rabble of passions, lacking expertise. Aristotle would later talk about mixed governance. The mix of oligarchy and democracy would create the polity, a virtuous form of government which more represents a modern republic.
Coincidentally, the mix of monarchy, oligarchy, and democracy also characterizes Plato's own Republic.