Aristotle And Politics: Aristotle's Views In Politics

Keith Montgomery

Dr. Conyers

February 13, 2018

Intro to Political Science

Aristotle: Politics

In Politics by Aristotle, he presented his views on the ideal polis. Polis is a city in ancient Greece, especially as considered in its ideal form for philosophical purposes. Through the span of eight books, he showed that his belief was that the citizens happiness was the purpose of government. In order to achieve and sustain happiness, it takes participation from everyone living in the city. Aristotle also displays his belief of the idea of compromise between constitutional government or politeia and aristocracy. He speaks on how the two governments are flawed separately and how they need to be combined in order to be successful. Along with discussing

The books in Politics they all can be combined into three topics, his thoughts on the citizens and social hierarchy, his thoughts on the correct government to have, and his all arounds thoughts on the perfect city or polis. Aristotle argued that “But, if all communities aim at some good, the state or political community, which is the highest of all, and which embraces all the rest, aims at good in a greater degree than any other, and at the highest good” (Aristotle part Ⅰ). Basically he is saying an individual is only a citizen able to achieve happiness if they belong to the state. Aristotle speaks heavily on the relationship between man and wife with their children. Also he speaks on the social hierarchy of a city. He says how a king is similar to a father in the way he should treat his citizens, it is also the vice versa for

“...we divided them into three true forms: kingly rule, aristocracy, and constitutional government, and three corresponding perversions- tyranny, oligarchy, and democracy”(Aristotle Book 4) .Aristotle says there are only six governments, which were monarchy, tyranny, aristocracy, oligarchy, politeia, and democracy. In his eyes three were good and three were bad. The good were monarchy, aristocracy, and politeia. The three bad ones were tyranny, oligarchy, and democracy. He focuses on how while both aristocracy and politeia have their own separate flaws, they should be combined to create one solid government. “...that democracy is simply that form of government in which the greater number are sovereign, for in oligarchies, and indeed in every government, the majority rules; nor again is oligarchy that form of government in which a few are sovereign”(Aristotle Book 4). He speaks on how the majority of people in a politeia are sovereign because it is granted to those who are free born. In a aristocracy sovereignty is only granted to those who are rich. He expresses his belief on social hierarchy and how the parts of the city are broken down. There are 9 parts, the farming class, mechanical class, merchant and retailer class, hired laborers, soldiers, wealthy patrons, and the executive, deliberative and judicial branch. All in all though there are two main social