Republics decline into democracies and democracies degenerate into despotisms.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Republics tend to turn into democracies, and democracies often worsen into despotisms over time.
- In plain terms
- Governments can slide from republic to democracy to tyranny.
- What can you take from it?
- Watch out for political decline.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do systems fail?
- What protects against tyranny?
Another view
This linear progression does not always hold true.
More from Aristotle
Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime.
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Permalink to quote #129 Politicians also have no leisure, because they are always aiming at something beyond political life itself, power and glory, or happiness.
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