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Full Idea
Where the election of officials is concerned, electing from the elected is dangerous. For if some are willing to combine, even if they are a relatively small number, the election will always turn out according to their wish.
Gist of Idea
Election of officials by the elected is dangerous, because factions can control it
Source
Aristotle (Politics [c.332 BCE], 1266a25)
Book Ref
Aristotle: 'Politics', ed/tr. Reeve,C.D.C. [Hackett 2017], p.33
A Reaction
The British Prime Minister is elected by the elected members of parliament of the majority party. (Boris Johnson is the current PM…). This idea reflects the great concern that earlier thinkers had about factions in politics.
| 22539 | Election of officials by the elected is dangerous, because factions can control it [Aristotle] |
| 22543 | In large communities it is better if more people participate in the offices [Aristotle] |
| 22572 | Officers should like the constitution, be capable, and have appropriate virtues and justice [Aristotle] |
| 19900 | The executive must not be the legislature, or they may exempt themselves from laws [Locke] |
| 19821 | I call the executive power the 'government', which is the 'prince' - a single person, or a group [Rousseau] |