Section 557

Most emphatically. And a democracy, I suppose, comes into being when the poor, winning the victory, put to death some of the other party, drive out 1 others, and grant the rest of the citizens an equal share 2 in both citizenship and offices—and for the most part these offices are assigned by lot. 3 Why, yes, he said, that is the constitution of democracy alike whether it is established by force of arms or by terrorism 4 resulting in the withdrawal of one of the parties. What, then, said I, is the manner of their life and what is the quality of such a constitution? For it is plain that the man of this quality will turn out to be a democratic sort of man. It is plain, he said. To begin with, are they not free? and is not the city chock-full of liberty and freedom of speech? and has not every man licence 5 to do as he likes? So it is said, he replied. And where there is such licence, it is obvious that everyone would arrange a plan 6 for leading his own life in the way that pleases him. Obvious. All sorts 7 and conditions of men, then, would arise in this polity more than in any other? Of course. Possibly, said I, this is the most beautiful of polities as a garment of many colors, embroidered with all kinds of hues, so this, decked and diversified with every type of character, would appear the most beautiful. And perhaps, I said, many would judge it to be the most beautiful, like boys and women 8 when they see bright-colored things. Yes indeed, he said. Yes, said I, and it is the fit place, my good friend, in which to look for a constitution. Why so? Because, owing to this licence, it includes all kinds, and it seems likely that anyone who wishes to organize a state, as we were just now doing, must find his way to a democratic city and select the model that pleases him, as if in a bazaar 9 of constitutions, and after making his choice, establish his own. Perhaps at any rate, he said, he would not be at a loss for patterns.