This book is about the nature and causes of revolution, as well as how to prevent revolution. Factional conflict results from disagreements about justice, because different parts of the city have different ideas of equality and each has a partial claim to justice. Those outstanding in virtue would be most justified in engaging in factional conflict but are the least likely to do so. Factional conflict can about a desire to change the type of regime or simply to change specific elements or specific rulers in the regime.
Factional conflict is the result of inequality.
The two types of equality are equality by number and inequality by merit. Neither pure democracy nor pure oligarchy are lasting because they each have an extreme view of equality which excludes one of the two types. A regime with a large middling element will be more stable. Chapter 2 People engage in factional conflict over issues of profit and honor, and are further stirred up because of fear, contempt, and dissimilarity. When office-holders are arrogant and aggrandize themselves, factional conflict arises.