ARISTOCRACY,Aristokratia, a Form of political Government, where the supreme Power is lodged in the Hands of the Optimates, i.e. a Council or Senate composed of the principal Persons of a State, either in respect of Nobility, Capacity, or Probity. See GOVERNMENT and OPTIMATES. The ancient Writers of Politics prefer this Form of Government to all others. The Republic of Venice is an Aristocracy. See REPUBLIC. Aristocracy coincides with Oligarchy; which however, is more ordinarily used to signify a Corruption of an aristocratical State, where the Administration is in the Hands of too few. See OLIGARCHY. The Word is derived from ἄριστος, optimus, and κρατέω, I command, govern.
ARISTOCRACY
- Details
- Written by: Ephraïm Chambers
- Category: Unclassified