Let’s Call Them What They Are

I like that cycle you shared, I was not familiar with it until now. I definitely see validity in it.

I would like to point out that there is also a “Cycle of Government” as described in ancient philosophy by Plato, Aristotle, and Polybius. It too is very much real, and all informed American citizens should be aware of it and how it influenced James Madison, the “Father of the Constitution.”

Plato (427-328 Ante Christum natum-BC):
-Identified three types of government: monarchy, aristocracy, democracy
-Advised for a mixed government of all three types in his work “The Laws”

Aristotle (384-322 Ante Christum natum-BC):
-Believed a mixed government could prevent the decline cycle of government
-Advised a separation of powers in mixed government
-Wrote “Politics,” advised a mixed government with a separation of powers amongst three branches of government

Polybius (200-118 Ante Christum natum-BC):
-Macedonian hostage of Rome after the Third Macedonian War
-While a hostage studies philosophy
-Wrote “Histories,” it supports Plato and Aristotle’s works while stating the Roman Republic embodied an ideal mixed government

Cycle of Government (as described by Aristotle):
-Anarchy-lack of government/chaos
-Monarchy/Dictator: A King, Emperor, or Monarch rule by one or strongman or dictator
~These rulers start off good and just but over generations decay from corruption and become oppressive tyrants.
-Aristocracy: rule by the elites or few
~As the tyrant becomes more oppressive he is overthrown by a justified elite class. The elite few are fair and just in the beginning.
-Oligarchy: rule by a tyrannical few
~The elites over generations become corrupt and oppressive in their rule.
-Democracy: rule by the people or many
~The people overthrow the corrupt and oppressive elites. The people are fair and just in the beginning.
-Ochlocracy: rule by the mob or corrupt people
~The mob or masses of people begin to intimidate legitimate authority. As a result anarchy, chaos, or lack of government ensues and a strongman rises again.

James Madison: Virginian, statesman, “Father of the Constitution”
-“The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, selfappointed [sic], or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.” (The Federalist Papers, No. 47, February 1, 1788, http://thomas.loc.gov/home/histdox/fedpapers.html).
-“It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government. But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.” (The Federalist Papers, No. 51, February 6, 1788, http://thomas.loc.gov/home/histdox/fedpapers.html)

James Madison’s reference to the one, the few, and the many in Federalist No. 47 is proof of his awareness of the cycle of government and Aristotle’s Theory of mixed government.

Mixed Government: shared balance of power between the one, the few, and the many, to prevent the chaos of the Cycle of Government

James Madison’s Virginia Plan is very much an idea of Mixed Government.
-Democracy (the many): Represent the people (US Constitution: Article I Section 1: House of Representatives)
-Monarchy (the one): ruler or executive to protect and represent the nation and thus the people and the elites (US Constitution: Article II-Executive Branch
-Aristocracy (the few): Represent the elites or states
(US Constitution: Article I Section II: Senate, basically voided by 17th Amendment, the States’ legislators should choose Senators not the people)
*Even went further with the creation of a judiciary.

James Madison is a student of history and philosophy and is well aware of Aristotle’s Cycle of Government. He designs a mixed government to prevent this cycle. He also sees the flaws and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and has a plan for a new stronger Federal Republic. Madison and Alexander Hamilton call on a convention to meet in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787 to reform the Articles of Confederation.

For James Madison’s convention to be a success, George Washington, the indispensable man, must be present. If Washington is there other statesmen will come and believe the convention to have merit and legitimacy. Thus, with Washington there they believe the convention might have some success at strengthening the new nation.

Men throughout America trust and look up to Washington. Washington will repeatedly hold the young nation together, at the Constitutional Convention by eventually persuading James Madison to accept the Great Compromise.

Traits of Washington’s Command Presence:
-Courage
-Fortitude
-Patience
-Integrity
-Loyalty
-Wisdom
-Humble

https://www.amazon.com/More-Perfect-Union-America-Becomes/dp/B07V9YWD1R/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=A+more+perfect+union&qid=1611504941&sr=8-1