A kingdom and a tyranny (37) were, he opined, both of them forms of government, but forms which differed from one another, in his belief; a kingdom was a government over willing men in accordance with civil law, whereas a tyranny implied the government over unwilling subjects not according to law, but so as to suit the whims and wishes of the ruler. (37) Or, "despotism." There were, moreover, three forms of citizenship or polity; in the case where the magistrates were appointed from those who discharged the obligations prescribed by law, he held the polity to be an aristocracy (or rule of the best); (38) where the title to office depended on rateable property, it was a plutocracy (or rule of wealth); and lastly, where all the citizens without distinction held the reins of office, that was a democracy (or rule of the people). (38) Or, "in which the due discharge of lawful (law-appointed) obligations gave the title to magisterial office and government, this form of polity he held to be an aristocracy (or rule of the best)." See Newman, op. cit. i. 212, 235. Let me explain his method of reply where the disputant had no clear statement to make, but without attempt at proof chose to contend that such or such a person named by himself was wiser, or more of a statesman, or more courageous, and so forth, than some other person. (39) Socrates had a way of bringing the whole discussion back to the underlying proposition, (40) as thus: (39) Or, "if any one encountered him in argument about any topic or person without any clear statement, but a mere ipse dixit, devoid of demonstration, that so and so," etc. (40) Or, "question at bottom." Cf. Plat. "Laws," 949 B. Soc. You state that so and so, whom you admire, is a better citizen that this other whom I admire? The Disputant. Yes; I repeat the assertion. Soc. But would it not have been better to inquire first what is the work or function of a good citizen? The Disputant. Let us do so. Soc. To begin, then, with the matter of expenditure: his superiority will be shown by his increasing the resources and lightening the expenditure of the state? (41) (41) Or, "In the management of moneys, then, his strength will consist in his rendering the state better provided with ways and means?" Certainly (the disputant would answer). Soc. And in the event of war, by rendering his state superior to her antagonists? The Disputant. Clearly. Soc. Or on an embassy as a diplomatist, I presume, by securing friends in place of enemies? That I should imagine (replies the disputant). Soc. Well, and in parliamentary debate, by putting a stop to party strife and fostering civic concord? The Disputant. That is my opinion. By this method of bringing back the argument to its true starting-point, even the disputant himself would be affected and the truth become manifest to his mind.