Plato's Theory of Government Evolution (5 types, aristocracy and others)

Plato believed in five types of governments in a hierarchical order from best to worst: aristocracy, democracy, oligarchy, democracy again, and lastly tyranny. An aristocracy, ruled by a philosopher king, is the highest form but can turn into a military dictatorship if ego-driven leaders are chosen instead of wise ones. A democracy devolves into an oligarchy as the desire for honor leads to self-interest and a rich ruling class governing the poor. Oligarchy eventually falls to class warfare and transforms into a democracy, focusing on freedom as the supreme good but potentially leading to chaos when self-indulgence takes precedence. Finally, a democracy can deteriorate into a tyranny where self-indulgence continues unchecked and laws are disregarded, culminating in a tyrant seizing power.