Aristotle,Politics

STAATSLEHRE PRÄSENTATION // 22.10.2014

CONTENTS

the book ABOUT

relevant notes POLITICS

INTRODUCTION

Aristotle tutors a young AlexanderMacedonia, year 343-335

STATE – A CREATION OF NATURE

STATE – A CREATION OF NATURE

‘First house and wife and an ox for the plough’ for the ox is the poor man’s slave.

The family is the association established by naturefor the supply of men’s everyday wants, . . . (p27).

And the most natural form of the village appears to be that of a colony from the family.

Every family is ruled by the eldest, and therefore in the colonies of the family the kingly form of government pre-vailed because they were of the same blood (p27).

‘First house and wife and an ox for the plough’ for the ox is the poor man’s slave.

The family is the association established by naturefor the supply of men’s everyday wants, . . . (p27).

STATE – A CREATION OF NATURE

SLAVERY

SLAVERY

Slavery – Is it also Natural?For that some should rule and others be ruled is a thing, not only necessary but expedient; from the hour of their birth, some are marked out for subjection, others for rule (p32).

SLAVERY

Slavery – Necessary and JustifiedThe work is better which is executed by better workmen; . . . (p32-33). . . . the male is by nature superior, and the female inferior; and the one rules, and the other is ruled; this principle, of necessity, extends to all mankind (p34).

Slavery – Is it also Natural?For that some should rule and others be ruled is a thing, not only necessary but expedient; from the hour of their birth, some are marked out for subjection, others for rule (p32).

the form ofgovernment

THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT

Some, indeed, say that the best constitution is a combination of all existing forms,

THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT

Some, indeed, say that the best constitution is a combination of all existing forms,

and they praise the Lacedaemonian because it made up of oligarchy, monarchy, democracy,

the king forming the monarchy, and the council of elders the oligarchy, while the democratic element is represented by the Ephors; for the Ephors are selected from the people (p70-71).

SPARTA

MAP OF ANCIENT GREECE

SPARTA – INEQUALITY OF PROPERTY

Nearly two-fifths of the country are held by women;this is owing to the number of heiresses and to the large dowries which are customary (p84-85).

SPARTA – INEQUALITY OF PROPERTY

Hence, although the country is able to maintain 1,500 cavalry and 30,000 hoplites, the whole number of Spartan citizens [at the time of the Theban invasion] fell below 1,000. The result proves the faulty nature of their laws respecting property; for the city sank under a single defeat; . . . (p84-85).

Nearly two-fifths of the country are held by women;this is owing to the number of heiresses and to the large dowries which are customary (p84-85).

CRETE

Crete resembles Lacedaemon, yet different. . . the office of the Ephors is the same as that of the Cretan Cosmi, the only difference being that whereas the Ephors are five, the Cosmi are ten in number.

But the common meals are better managed . . . so that men, women, and children are all supported out of a common stock (p90).

CRETE

MAP OF ANCIENT GREECE

CARTHAGE

Carthaginian institutions are excellent. . . it has been lasting, the Carthaginians never had any rebellions worth speaking of, and have never been under the rule of a tyrant (p92).

CARTHAGE – A PLUTOCRACY

Carthaginian institutions are excellent. . . it has been lasting, the Carthaginians never had any rebellions worth speaking of, and have never been under the rule of a tyrant (p92).

. . . whereas the Ephors are any chance persons, . . .the [104] magistrates of the Carthaginians are elected according to merit – this is an improvement (p92).

CARTHAGE – A PLUTOCRACY

If, then, election of magistrates for their wealth be characteristic of oligarchy, and election for merit of aristocracy,there will be a third form under which the constitution of Carthage is comprehended; for the Carthaginians choose their magistrates, and particularly the highest of them – their kings and generals – with an eye both to merit and to wealth (p94).

CARTHAGE – A PLUTOCRACY

ROMAN EMPIRE 100 AD

the form ofgovernment

true

Royalty, Aristocracy, and ConstitutionOf the above-mentioned forms, the perversions are as follows: of royalty, tyranny; of aristocracy, oligarchy; of constitutional government, democracy (p115).

THE TRUE FORMS OF GOVERNMENT

Government, True and PervertedFor tyranny is a kind of monarchy which has in view the interest of the monarch only; oligarchy has in view the interest of the wealthy; democracy, of the needy: none of them the common good of all (p115).

Royalty, Aristocracy, and ConstitutionOf the above-mentioned forms, the perversions are as follows: of royalty, tyranny; of aristocracy, oligarchy; of constitutional government, democracy (p115).

THE TRUE FORMS OF GOVERNMENT

GOVERNMENT – TWO PRINCIPAL FORMS

1.

DEMOCRACY2.

OLIGARCHY

GOVERNMENT – MIXED CONSTITUTIONS

1.

DEMOCRACY2.

OLIGARCHY

1. 2.+ = 3.

CONSTITUTIONALGOVERNMENT

ARISTOCRACY – GOVERNMENT OF THE BEST

1. 2.+ + 3.

ARISTOCRACY= 4.

1.

DEMOCRACY2.

OLIGARCHY

1. 2.+ = 3.

CONSTITUTIONALGOVERNMENT

THE RULE OF THE MIDDLE CLASS

And this is the class of citizens which is most secure in a state,for they do not, like the poor, covet their neighbours’ goods; nor do others covet theirs, as the poor covet the goods of the rich; and as they neither plot against others, nor are themselves plotted against, they pass through life safely (p169).

THE RULE OF THE MIDDLE CLASS

GOVERNMENT – TWO PRINCIPAL FORMS

1.

DEMOCRACY2.

OLIGARCHY

the poor rules the rich rulesmajority and freedom minority and wealth

everywhere equality everywhere inequality

GOVERNMENT – MIXED CONSTITUTIONS

1.

DEMOCRACY2.

OLIGARCHY

1. 2.+ = 3.

CONSTITUTIONALGOVERNMENT

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