10 reasons why aristocracy beats democracy?

Will Durant writes that “there are but two forms of government: rule by one man, and rule by a few.” Majorities can never rule because while minorities can organize, majorities can’t. He says: “Government is oligarchy, or it is monarchy; there is nothing else.”

Pedigree v/s Pocketbooks: Will Durant writes that “rule by pedigree is the only alternative to rule by pocketbooks.” Rich oligarchs always subject nations to the “ideals of the stock exchange, the marketplace, and the factory” unless aristocrats stop them.

Elections are Lotteries: Aristocracies free leaders from the “lottery of elections.” French philosopher Renan predicted that elections will be the triumph of “mediocrity” as they’ll put “knaves and quacks upon the throne.”

Will Durant writes that while aristocracies do limit “political freedom,” democracies are no freer as they crush individuality with the “fanatic pressure of dull majorities.” Better a rule by minorities trained from the “outset” in the rigors of an aristocratic upbringing.

Who will build the next pyramid? There are grand tasks “requiring generations” of coordination and democracy is utterly incapable of them. A democratically elected leader can never build a Pyramid.

The Case of England: “England’s leaders were trained for public place from their boyhood; first at home, then at Eton or Harrow, then at Oxford or Cambridge, and then by appointment to arduous minor offices. It was these men who lifted little England to the top of the world.”

Slow is fast: Will Durant writes that societies cannot change too quickly because “large bodies must move slowly.” He says: "Society is not a laboratory, and men do not submit to vivisection."

Traditions as Memory. Will Durant writes: “The sanity of the individual lies in the continuity of his memory; the sanity of a group lies in the continuity of its traditions.” Progressives are strangely proud of their amnesia.

Aristocracy of the soul. Will Durant defines the “aristocracy of soul”: “A vigor and yet ease of carriage, a sureness of touch in judgment and taste, a readiness of wit, an unassuming dignity and an unfailing generosity.”

The Aristocratic Peace. Will Durant writes that equality is the breeding ground of violence: “Peace is between unequals; the pretense of equality brings a perennial tug of war.”