The Politics of Aristotle
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Aristotle's Politics is a key document in Western political thought. In these first two books Aristotle shows his complete mastery of political theory and practice, and raises many crucial issues still with us today. In Book I he argues vigorously for a political theory based on 'nature'. By nature, man is a 'political animal', one naturally fitted for life in a polis or state. Some people, however, are natural slaves; and women are by nature subordinate to men. Acquisition and exchange are natural, but not trading for profit. In Book II he launches a sharp attack on Plato's two 'utopias', the Republic and the Laws, and also criticizes three historical states reputed to be well governed: Sparta, Crete, and Carthage. This volume contains a close translation of these two books, together with a philosophical commentary. It is well suited to the requirements of readers who do not know Greek.
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The Politics by Aristotle
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The Politics is the telos of the Nicomachean Ethics. Humans are by nature a political animal. We have to live in human communities. We are dependent on other humans. Most of us are not beasts or gods, and it is probably not healthy for anyone to live the life of a beast or god anyway.
The question is what living arrangement is best for human beings. For Aristotle, the most common modes
of human existence were “democracy” and “oligarchy.” Sadly, for us moderns, Aristotle was not particularly enamored of democracy, which had a tendency to expropriate the wealthy for the benefit of the many, many poor. However, Aristotle acknowledged that democracy was a viable option, particularly in the form of “constitutional government” that mixed oligarchy and democracy in different offices. We can often forget that the American system is a species of “constitutional government” with oligarchy (The Senate/Electoral College) and democratic ( the House of Representatives) mixed together. Of course, the American system has moved into nearly a pure democracy over the decades.
I was struck by how the Politics read like Machiavelli's The Prince. Both advance their philosophical theories by paying pragmatic attention to historical examples. Both make their point by sharing a historical anecdote that illustrates some flaw or problem. Both are informed by history.
Given the Politics as a sequel to the Nicomachean Ethics, it is not surprising that Aristotle places an emphasis on citizen virtues. Thus, he believes that the character of a population inclines that population towards democracy or oligarchy.
We might reflect on that with respect to our various nation-building projects.
