In comparing and contrasting the two practices, Harrington, Montesquieu, and Rousseau were thus in keeping with the republican
tradition. Their thoughts on lot and election are today treated
as mere curiosities. Modern commentators grant them little or no
attention. However, nothing but an uncritical projection of our own
viewpoint onto the past gives any reason to suppose that Harrington,
Montesquieu, or Rousseau themselves regarded their
thoughts on lot and election as being peripheral.