Middle Class Rule

What is the best and most practicable constitution? Who should have the authority under such a constitution? Should it be one person, or should it be the people? In either case, why is that better? These are a few of the questions Aristotle tries to answer in the Politics. As opposed to Plato, Aristotle is much more pragmatic in his political theory and therefore tries to answer these questions in a way that will create, in his mind, the best practical constitution that will produce the best life for the majority of men. For Aristotle, this a constitution ran by a large middle class. He bases his argument on the idea that virtue is a mean between two extremes. The best practical constitution then must lie between the two extremes of a democracy (rule by the poor) and an oligarchy (rule by the rich) (Reeve 1279b40-1280b5). He calls this form of government a polity and claims that, while it is not the best unqualifiedly, it would be the most stable and long lasting form of applicable government (Reeve 1296a10-15)(Klosko 127). The problem with Aristotle’s theory, while sound economically, is that it inconsistently attributes virtuous characteristics to the middle class assuming that they are free of envy and desire to rule.

Before we get into the rule of the middle class we must first analyze whether or not it is better for the many to have authority rather than one. Aristotle concludes that it is just for the many to have the authority over important matters. He argues that since courts, councils, and assemblies, consist of multiple individuals, and these things are considered just, it is therefore just for a multitude to have the authority rather than one person (Reeve 1282b1-5). Plato contends that each individual alone is only ...

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...tic. Aristotle makes a strikingly intelligent and well informed point by arguing that economic problems create the downfalls of governments. Where he is mistaken is in ascribing virtue to people based on economic status. While under certain circumstances it seems possible for the middle class ruling would be stable, it still has many flaws that could quickly morph it into an oligarchy and lead to its destruction. In the end rule by the middle class, while potentially more stable, can fall apart just as quickly as any other.

Works Cited

Grube, G. M. A., and C. D. C. Reeve. Republic. Indianapolis: Hackett Pub. Co., 1992. Print.

Reeve, C. D. C. Politics. Indianapolis, Ind.: Hackett Pub., 1998. Print.

Klosko, George. History of political theory: an introduction. Vol.1, Ancient and medieval political theory. Fort Worth: Harcourt, Brace College Publishers, 1993. Print.