Athenian Stranger. Enough of this. And what, then, is to be regarded as the origin of government ? Will not a man be able to judge of it best from a point of view in which he may behold the progress of states and their transitions to good or evil ?
Cleinias. What do you mean ?
Ath. I mean that he might watch them from the point of view of time, and observe the changes which take place in them during infinite ages.
Cle. How so ?
Ath. Why, do you think that you can reckon the time which has elapsed since cities first existed and men were citizens of them ?
Cle. Hardly.
Ath. But are sure that it must be vast and incalculable ?
Cle. Certainly.
Ath. And have not thousands and thousands of cities come into being during this period and as many perished ? And has not each of them had every form of government many times over, now growing larger, now smaller, and again improving or declining ?
Cle. To be sure.
Ath. Let us endeavour to ascertain the cause of these changes ; for that will probably explain the first origin and development of forms of government.
Cle. Very good. You shall endeavour to impart your thoughts to us, and we will make an effort to understand you.