It is in the interest of the surviving regime. Holders of power in any state are each exercising sovereign power. As many kinds of regimes as there are, so are the holders of power. The great Greek philosopher Aristotle distinguishes four types of states. Democracy, Oligarchy, Aristocracy and Monarchy. Democracy is the state in which the executive branch is elected on the basis of a majority in elections, while office is distributed by lot.
Oligarchy is the state in which positions are distributed according to the amount of income. Aristocracy is the state in which positions are distributed according to education (the faithful who obey the law). Monarchy is the state in which a single person has all power in his hands. When this power is exercised in order it is called a kingdom. When it is unlimited it is called tyranny.
The puropse of each regime-state is analogous. The purpose of democracy is freedom and equality. The purpose of the oligarchy is wealth. The purpose of the aristocracy is to educate and obey the laws. The purpose of tyranny is to guard the tyrant. We must therefore distinguish as citizens the morals and laws that correspond to the purpose of each regime.
