Western Philosophers

2. Aristotle
 Introduction
 Born: 384 BCE
 Greek Philosopher
 Influenced by Socrates and Plato
 Famous book (on Politics): The Politics

Aristotle’s Classification of State/Government

 Aristotle provided the most lasting classification which is even today regarded as the most valid
basis of differences of one government from the other
 his classification is based on the thorough study of all the constitutions and Political systems of
his time

Main Principles
there are two main principles according to which Aristotle classifies the states
1. The Number of persons who exercised supreme power
2. the end (purpose), they seek to serve: self-interest or the benefit of community
 It means that
when the rulers aimed at the good of the community, the states would be a pure/normal form of
state. e.g. monarchy, aristocracy and polity
 When the rulers in such a state become selfish, the state would be called perverted or degenerated
state. e.g. tyranny, oligarchy and democracy

Number of One Few Many

Ruler(s)
For the common Monarchy Aristocracy Polity
interests
For the interest of Tyranny Oligarchy Democracy
rulers

Best form of Government

According to Aristotle, pure forms of government are three i.e. monarchy, Aristocracy and polity

Best Form of government

 Monarchy
 Aristocracy
 Polity
1. Monarchy: Rule of one person
 Aristotle says that when a state is ruled by a single person and he runs the state for the
wellfare and betterment of his subjects, it is called monarchy
 the ruler is considered the gentlest, intelligent, dignified and respectable member of the
society and he is given the honor
 he gives priority to national interests over his personal wants and gives attention to the
suggestion of his subjects
 in all his activities, the monarch gives priority to general interests when the ruler becomes
corrupt and selfish, monarchy changes into Tyranny
2. Aristocracy (Rule of a few people)
 If sovereignty resides in small minority of the population, it is called aristocracy
 this small minority may be chosen based on talent or hereditary principle i.e. from prominent
or rich families
 as long as this minority exercises their power into the collective interests of society, it will be
known as Aristocracy
3. Polity (Rule of many)
 In this kind of government, the middle class runs the state administration and a large number
of citizens participate in this system
 administrators are elected representatives of people who run the state administration
according to the will and desires of the people
 it is called polity
 According to Aristotle, polity is the best form of government. when this ruling class becomes
corrupt and selfish, the polity converts into democracy

Worst form of government

according to Aristotle, the worst form of government are tyranny, oligarchy, and democracy

1. Tyranny
 In tyranny, the ruler is the single dictator who runs the state administration according to his
will
 the ruler himself is above any criticism and he pursues his personal interests
 so in the rule of one, the corrupt shape of government is called tyranny
2. Oligarchy
 if a few people rule for private interests, then the government is called oligarchy
 Hence, Oligarchy is the perverted form of Aristocracy
3. Democracy (Rule of many)
 if many people rule for their interests, not for welfare of community, this form of government is
called democracy
 according to Aristotle, democracy is the government of ignorant people and due to a lack of
special education, public policy and decisions are not made properly
 it is the worst form of government according to Aristotle

Aristotle’s Cycle of Government/State

 Aristotle further believes that all states go through a cycle of political change. it means, according
to him, governments are not static, but dynamic.

Explanation of Aristotle’s Cycle

 According to this cycle, the state begins with the establishment of monarchy which was the
virtuous rule of a single man
 The first government were kingdoms/kingships; probably for this reason, in ancient times, when
cities were small and men of eminent virtues were few
 Though after some time, such a virtuous man could no longer be produced
 with the passage of time, this virtuous man fell prey to greed, selfishness and arrogance and the
monarchy descends into the Tyranny
 In the system of tyranny, the ruler wanted to promote his interest over community welfare
 subsequently, when many people equal in merit arose, against the pre-eminence of one, they form
an Aristocracy
 in the system of Aristocracy, a few people work for interest of peeople
 but with the passage of time, these people also become greedy and selfish
 at this point, Aristocracy changes Oligarchy
 In Oligarchy system, a few people start ruling for their own interest
 the love of gain in the ruling class always intended to diminish their number and so it
strengthened the masses
 at a certain point, oligarchy will be thrown out by some patriotic people
 at the end, the oligarchy will change into polity
 In this system, the middle class patriotic people runs state administration for common welfare of
community
 and it is the reason behind Aristotle’s love for this type of governments
 however, the polity will soon change/turn into a mob-rule
 In mob-rule, many poor people capture power and start ruling for interest of poor only
 at this point, polity changes into democracy
 democracy is the government of public policy, poor decisions, will be made by democrats, will
changes the system into mobocracy
 out of this chaos that this democracy will generate, there will be once again a need for a strong
man and virtuois leader
 thus, again people will see a supremely virtuous man, who will restore law and order
 the cycle will complete and again the system of monarchy will emerge

What is the Best Solution?

 According to Aristotle, solution exists in the form of balance between oligarchy and democracy
 Let’s first discuss major forces of society to understand the concept of balance
Major forces of Society
Quality

 Demagogue; elite class; this force of society includes wealth, social position, education etc. it is
the oligarchic character of society

Quantity
 Jealous; poor class; this force includes the numbers; they are huge in number and forms;
democratic character of society

How to ensure balance between oligarchy and democracy?

 Aristotle said that a state dominated by either of the two forces (Oligarchs/ quality) or
(democrats/quantity) would be a bad state.
 it would be wise to form a state by keeping considerable balance between these two forces
 in practice, such a state may be achieved by giving power to middle class which will ensure
balance between oligarchy and democracy

it is because
 Complete powered given to either Quantity or Quality will lead to a worst form of government
 How middle Class can maintain a check on Quality and Quantity:
o According to Aristotle, every community has rich, poor and middle class
o middle class comprises of the means of class structure
o the rich only knows how to command and the poor only knows how to obey
o the rich carries thoughts of property in their mind while poor class wants to listen to a
demagogue who promises for division of property and leads towards revolution
o at the end, this revolution brings no relief but tyranny to poor
o on the other hand, the middle class is not so poor to become fool and not so rich to
become factious
 as a result, two situations can happen
1. when middle class takes the place of Quality, it makes tyranny+Oligarchy=Polity
2. When middle class takes the place of quantity, it makes Democracy=Polity

conclusion
 While analyzing democratic and oligarchic state, Aristotle reached to an important conclusion
 he said that the best practicable state must be based upon a balance of democratic+oligarchic
principles
 he called it a polity or constitutional state
 according to him, such a polity or constitutional state would not be an ideal state like that of Plato
but it can rather be attainable

Aristotle’s Concept of Ideal State

 Aristotle studied for 17 years in academy of Plato and that’s why this association led him to
propose a concept of Ideal State
The Ideal State of Aristotle has following features
1. Small Population: 15000 to 100,000
2. moderate size of territory: easy governance
3. location of state: neither landlocked nor near to sea
4. State controlled education
5. division of society: two kinds of people
o Slaves: Agriculture+Art & craft
o Citizens: defense (youth)+ruling (middle ages) + religion (aged people)
6. Equal Distribution of Property
7. Equality Principles were denied

Criticism
 Impracticable
 difficult division of society
 no method for screening