The Works of Dr. Jonathan Swift, Dean of St. Patrick's, Dublin, Vol. 3: Consisting of Miscellanies in Prose (Classic Reprint)

This book compares democratic Athens and Republican Rome. The author examines the role of popular assemblies from the perspective of a modern observer to explore the successes and failures, rises and falls of each society. In comparing these ancient societies to his own, the author examines the inherent strengths and weaknesses found in popular assemblies, particularly as it pertains to power dynamics, influence, and the delicate balance between different branches of government. Noting that all governments have their periods of stability and decline, the author uses his observations and analysis of the two classical civilizations to draw parallels with current events and thereby gain insights into the potential future of his own society and government.