Vindication of Natural Society Hogeye Condensed Version
page 13
  • Moving on to the second form of government: Aristocracy.


  • There is no easy cure for despotism. History shows that changing tyrants is not a cure.


  • Aristocracy - Charging the Public Welfare to the "Men in their several Societies" most respected for "their Understanding and Fortunes."

    This is roughly what we today would call a republic. In modern times, the "men in their several societies" are politicians in political parties, allied with special interests.


  • The hope is that several rulers will offset each other, resulting in less tyranny, and less capricious use of power.





  • Unfortunately, being ruled by many is essentially no different than being ruled by one.




  • Under aristocracy, people often seek a counterfeit freedom - freedom to aid, influence or choose rulers, but not freedom of action. If the subject buys into this "fallacious Idea of Liberty," it "binds faster the Chains of his Subjection." This sounds a lot like today's popular idolatry of "democracy" and electoral politics.
In all Parts of the World, Mankind, however debased, retains still the Sense of Feeling; the Weight of Tyranny, at last, becomes insupportable; but the Remedy is not so easy; in general, the only Remedy by which they attempt to cure the Tyranny, is to change the Tyrant. This is, and always was the Case for the greater Part. In some Countries however, were found Men of more Penetration; who discovered, “that to live by one Man’s Will, was the Cause of all Men’s Misery.” They therefore changed their former Method, and assembling the Men in their several Societies, the most respectable for their Understanding and Fortunes, they confided to them the Charge of the publick Welfare. This originally formed what is called an Aristocracy.

They hoped, it would be impossible that such a Number could ever join in any Design against the general Good; and they promised themselves a great deal of Security and Happiness, from the united Counsels of so many able and experienced Persons.

But it is now found by abundant Experience, that an Aristocracy and a Despotism differ but in Name; and that a People, who are in general excluded from any Share of the Legislative, are to all Intents and Purposes, as much Slaves, when twenty, independent of them, govern, as when but one domineers. The Tyranny is even more felt, as every Individual of the Nobles has the Haughtiness of a Sultan; the People are more miserable, as they seem on the Verge of Liberty, from which they are for ever debarred, this fallacious Idea of Liberty, whilst it presents a vain Shadow of Happiness to the Subject, binds faster the Chains of his Subjection. What is left undone, by the natural Avarice and Pride of those who are raised above the others, is compleated by their Suspicions, and their Dread of losing an Authority, which has no Support in the common Utility of the Nation.
ToAnarchPg Vindication of Natural Society