Book 3, Part 2 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 3, "Of the Division of Governments"

The author here divides types of government into three categories - democracy (in which power is given to the people, as represented by magistrates), aristocracy (in which power is confined to a small number), and monarchy (in which power is in the hands of one man, who distributes it to his magistrates). The author discusses ways in which power moves back and forth between the three categories, and is shared in various ways. He comments that throughout the ages there have been disputes over which form is best, and theorizes that democracy is most suitable to small states, aristocracy to those of middle size, and monarchy to the largest. He doesn't, however, offer definitions (even approximately) of small, middle and large.

Chapter 4, "Of Democracy"

The author suggests in this chapter that democracy is...