Aristotle’s Theory of Revolution: Causes and Methods to
Prevent Revolution!
Aristotle explained in great detail the theory of revolution. It is his
study of nearly 158 constitutions that helped him understand the
implications of revolutions on a political system. In his work,
Politics, he discussed at length all about revolutions. Based on his
study, Aristotle gave a scientific analysis and expert treatment to the
subject of revolutions. He gave a very broad meaning to the term
‘revolution’ which meant two things to him.
Firstly, it implies any major or minor change in the constitution
such as a change in monarchy or oligarchy and so on. Secondly, it
implies a change in the ruling power even though it did not lead to a
change in the government or the constitution. He further stated that
a revolution could be either direct or indirect, thereby affecting a
particular institution.
Causes of Revolution:
According to Aristotle, the two categories of causes of revolution are
general and particular.
The following is a brief explanation of each of the causes
of revolutions:
General Causes:
According to Aristotle, revolutions take place when the political
order fails to correspond to the distribution of property and hence
tensions arise in the class structure, eventually leading to
revolutions. Arguments over justice are at the heart of the
revolution.
Generally speaking, the cause of revolution is a desire on the part of
those who are devoid of virtue and who are motivated by an urge to
possess property, which is in the name of their opponents. In other
words, the cause of upheaval is inequality.
: Aristotle listed certain general causes of revolutions that affect all
types of governments and states. They are: the mental state or
feelings of those who revolt; the motive, which they desire to fulfill;
the immediate source or occasion of revolutionary outburst.
The mental state is nothing but a desire for equality and it is a state
of disequilibrium. Another clear objective of those rebel or revolt is
to gain honour. Apart from these, Aristotle provided some more
reasons, which are psychological as well as political in nature that
lead to revolutions. As far as psychological factors are concerned.
They are as follows:
1. Profit means that the officers of the state try to make illicit gains
at the expense of the individual or of the public. It puts the latter to
an undeserved loss and creates a mood of discontent.
2. Rebellions occur when men are dishonored rightly or wrongly
and when they see others obtaining honors that they do not deserve.
If like-minded people join the movement when the government fails
to redress their grievances.
3. Revolutions occur when insolence or disrespect is displayed by
the other members. A revolutionary climate would be soon created,
especially when the state officials become haughty, arrogant and
drunk with power, or pay no attention to the genuine problems of
the people.
This leads to a deep divide in the society, especially between the
state and the people. Over a period of time, people’s complaints
against corrupt officials increase which culminate into revolutions.
4. Fear is a genuine and a worst enemy of man and human
institutions. It disturbs peace of mind and other emotions.
Revolutions can occur either out of fear of punishment for a wrong
actually committed or a fear of an expected wrong to be inflicted on
the person who is afraid.
5. Contempt is closely related to revolution. This contempt can be
towards rules, laws, political and economic situations, social and
economic order. The contempt is also due to inequalities, injustices,
lack of certain privileges and the like.
6. Finally, revolutions are also the result of imbalances in the
disproportionate increase in the power of the state that creates a
gap between the constitution and the society. In the end, the
constitution reflects social realities, the balances of social and
economic forces.
If this balance is disturbed, the constitution is shaken and it will
either get modified or will perish. For instance, if the number of
poor people increases, the polity may be destroyed. Similarly, if
there are more numbers of rich in the government, it may lead to an
oligarchical set-up. Thus, any sharp differences in the polity would
result in revolutions.
As regards the political factors, issues such as elections intrigues,
carelessness, neglecting small changes, growth in reputation and
power of some office, or even balance of parties lead to deadlock
and finally foreign influence.
A brief explanation of these factors is as follows:
1. Election maneuvering greatly disturbs people’s faith in the
constitutional process. If they succeed, they prevent the constitution
from functioning efficiently or else they create much more troubles.
These election manipulations not only frustrate the public opinion,
but also destroy virtue and good life and they generate new social
issues such as corruption, bribery, nepotism, favoritism and the
like.
2. The foundations of the state can be devastated due to
carelessness or willful negligence leading to revolutions. If the
rulers are careless while selecting the officials, anti-social elements
would creep in and subvert the entire constitution. In such
conditions, a trivial matter of just selecting suitable officials with
little care proves to be the most fatal.
3. A statesman must never neglect any small issue relating to the
governance. If decisions are made in haste without considering its
implication such actions are likely to lead to an uproar. It is for this
reason; Aristotle stated that a need for overhauling the entire
system actually comes when small changes are overlooked. He also
warned leaders that appearances are deceptive and can create
problems.
4. As regards the influence of the powerful neighbouring states,
which have an impact on the constitution, especially when the
constitution of the other nation happens to be of a different type.
Particular Causes:
Apart from the general causes of revolution, Aristotle also gave
certain specific causes in various types of states. For instance, in
democracies, discontentment is bred by the demagogues who attack
the rich either individually or collectively and build hatred among
the people who become revengeful and violent and this situation
leads to conflicts.
In oligarchies, revolutions occur when masses experience an
unpleasant treatment by the officials resulting in dissensions within
the governing class. Personal disputes may further the flames of fire
and though imperceptible, changes in the class structure of society
may invisibly alter the ethos.
Aristotle further believed that it is not necessary that oligarchy
become democracy or vice versa, but they might change into a
completely different system altogether. In aristocracies, revolutions
occur when the circle of the rulers get narrowed down and become
thinner and thinner. It is, in fact, the disequilibrium in the balance
of the different elements or parts of the constitution that causes
revolutions.
As far as the monarchies and the tyrannies are concerned, revo-
lutions are caused by insolence, resentment of insults, fears,
contempt, desire for fame, influence of neighbouring states, sexual
offences and physical infirmities.
Methods to Prevent Revolutions:
Aristotle in order to ensure that there are lesser chances
of revolutions suggested the following methods to prevent
them:
Aristotle called upon the kings to believe in one principle maxim
that ‘prevention is better than cure’. He wanted the rulers to obey
laws even in smallest matters. He believed that transgression, of
even in small amounts, would sooner or later result in total disre-
spect and violation. Further taking cue from the rulers, if people
start breaking the laws, the entire social order would be at stake.
He strongly advised the rulers that they must believe that they can
fool some people all the time, all the people for some time and not
all the people all the time. In other words, people should not be
taken for granted, and sooner or later they will explode with
suddenness that might take the rulers by surprise.
He also stated that the rulers must provide due care to all those
people in their domain. They should not discriminate between the
officer and commoner, between governing and non-governing and
the like. The principle of democratic equality must be followed.
Further, every citizen must be given a chance to express their
opinions about the government and that the tenure of the officials
must be short-term. By this method, oligarchies and aristocracies
would not fall into the hands of the families.
As the internal feuds among the rulers would sap the energy and
unity of a state, the ruler must be on constant vigil and keep all
quarrels and seditions among rulers at a distance. No person or
official should either be raised to the highest position or suddenly
stunned. There has to be a balance.
Those who have acquired too much wealth or amassed great wealth
must be ostracized or banished and no single society should be
allowed to establish its dominance over the other. To achieve this,
offices must be given to the opposite elements like the rich and the
poor, in order to maintain a balance. Aristotle further stated that
public offices must not be made lucrative. By doing this, the poor
would not be attracted and the rich might occupy them without any
additional advantage.
The poor then stick to their work and grow rich, and the rich would
occupy offices without getting richer. Under these conditions, the
poor would have satisfaction that they all have jobs, and the rich, on
the other hand, would be satisfied that they occupied high positions.
Thus, democracy and aristocracy would be combined to produce a
stable polity. The retiring officer should hand over the charge of
public funds to another in public, and the officers whose
performance was good must be honoured.
He further stated that the rich should not be allowed to exhibit their
riches as it rouses jealousies among others. Finally, a statesman
interested in avoiding revolution must prevent extremes of poverty
and wealth, as it is this condition that leads to conflicts. He must
encourage colonization as an outlet for a dangerously congested
population and he should foster and practice religion.
Secondly, Aristotle opined that quality ruler would never be able to
stop revolutions. So to ensure this quality, rulers, must be first loyal
to constitution, secondly, they should be competent, able and
worthy and perform their duties, thirdly, they must have goodness
and justice that is suitable to the nature of each constitution, if there
is any lack of an able person to serve as the ruler, a combination of
persons will also help to prevent revolutions.
Finally, Aristotle argues that a correct system of education is the
most effective instrument for curbing the revolutionary instinct and
preserves social order.
