Kitap 2
1272b
Also the remedy which they employ for this defecti.e. the defect of the undue restriction of the office. is a curious one, and less characteristic of a republic than of a dynastySee 1292b 10 n.: often the Cosmi are expelled by a conspiracy formed among some of their actual colleagues or the private citizens. Also the Cosmi are allowed to resign during their term of office. Now it would be preferable for all these expedients to be put in force by law rather than at the discretion of individuals, for that is a dangerous principle. And the worst expedient of all is that of the suspension of the office of Cosmi, which is often brought about by members of the powerful class who wish to escape being punished; this proves that the constitution has a republican element, although it is not actually a republic but rather a dynasty.See 1292b 10 n. And the nobles frequently form parties among the common people and among their friends and so bring about a suspension of government,The MSS. give bring about a monarchy. and form factions and engage in war with one another. Yet such a state of things is virtually the same as if for a period of time the state underwent an entire revolution, and the bonds of civil society were loosened.
1272b
And it is a precarious position for a state to be in, when those who wish to attack it also have the power to do so. But, as has been said, it is saved by its locality; for distance has had the same effect as alien-acts.Aliens required special permission to reside at Sparta, and the ephors had powers to expel them for undesirable conduct. A result of this is that with the Cretans the serf population stands firm, whereas the Helots often revolt; for the Cretanstake no part in foreign empire, and also the island has only lately been invaded by warfare from abroad, rendering manifest the weakness of the legal system there.
1272b
Let this suffice for our discussion of this form of constitution.
