An Athenian Critic of Athenian Democracy, being a Translation of
"De Republica Atheniensium." By Francis Brooks, M.A. (David Nutt. ls. 6d.)—Students of politics who are not familiar with the classics have now an opportunity of reading this very intelligent analysis and criticism of the constitution of Athens, and of democracy more generally. It was for a long time attributed to Xenophon, but is now recognized as considerably earlier in date. The modern Englishman will read with interest the author's sagacious remarks upon the value of sea-power, and he will be equally glad of the discussion in the earlier part of the thesis upon the difficult question of "Democracy versus Government by Experts." The writer puts out very fairly the obvious advantages of a bureaucracy, and then states in a few effective words the great objection to it. "If you look for good government you will see, in the first place, the most capable men legislating for the com- munity, and in the second the good will hold the bad in check, and will not allow madmen to advise or speak or sit in the assembly. As a result, then, of these excellent conditions the democracy would very soon fall into slavery." Many similarly acute reflections are to be found in the course of these few pages.
Previous page
