Aristotle's Politics and Governance Concepts

Aristotle

Student of Plato, tutor to Alexander the Great.

Polis

City-state, highest form of human community.

Political Science Goal

Find the best way to live and govern.

Natural Political Animal

Humans thrive in organized communities.

Types of Rule

Master-Slave, Husband-Wife, Ruler-Citizen relationships.

Natural Slavery

Some are born to be ruled by nature.

Conventional Slavery

Based on conquest, viewed skeptically by Aristotle.

Criticism of Plato

Rejects communal property and family concepts.

Good Citizen

Follows laws and contributes to the polis.

Virtue

Pursuit of moral excellence, not universal among citizens.

Types of Constitutions

Monarchy, Aristocracy, Polity, Democracy, Oligarchy, Tyranny.

Best Constitution

Mixed government combining democracy and aristocracy.

Monarchy

Best if just; worst if tyrannical.

Aristocracy

Rule of the virtuous; can become oligarchy.

Polity

Balanced democracy, considered best practical government.

Democracy

Can devolve into mob rule.

Tyranny

Worst form; one rules for personal gain.

Power to the Masses

Collective wisdom valuable, but masses lack virtue.

Active Life

Engaging in politics and philosophy is ideal.