Aristotle - Notes
Political Science
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Aristotle
Introduction
Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC) was an ancient Greek Philosopher.
He is known as the father of Political Science as well as Father of Comparative Politics due
to his comparative studied 158 constitutions.
He was an illustrious disciple of Plato but also his biggest critique.
He was also a tutor of Alexander the Great. Aristotle political thought can be considered
Conservative, due to his presence for stability over change.
Aristotle believes in the middle path, according to him, the Golden Mean is the Golden
Rule.
Influences on Aristotle
Early life
Aristotle was greatly influenced by his father Nichomachus, who was a physician to the
King of Macedon.
Therefore from the very beginning, Aristotle developed an analytical and scientific
approach to the problem.
His repeated comparison of the state and the organism and the individuals with the
organs is mainly due to his scientific approach.
Impact of Plato
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Aristotle is indebted to Plato in many ways. According to Prof.Foster “Aristotle is the
greatest of all the Platonists.”
Plato’s influence on Aristotle is evident in following ideas:
Man is by nature social and must live an associated life. Society is an integral part of
man’s life.
Democracy is not an ideal form of government.
State exists for the moral perfection of the individuals.
No contradiction between the individual and the state.
Slavery is essential so that citizens can concentrate on mental work.
Differences in Political Perspectives
Plato Aristotle
Utopian Practical and Pragmatic
He believes in perfection He believes in Moderation.
Radical Conservatives
Extremist Golden Mean
Deductive Approach - General to Inductive Approach – Particular to
Particular General
Works of Aristotle
Nichomachean Ethics (350 BC) – here Aristotle states that human beings can be happy
only if they fulfill their basic function i.e. fulfill the capacities of their human nature in an
excellent way. He examines the various virtues necessary for living well in a polis.
Metaphysics (350 BC) – In this, Aristotle rejected Plato’s theory of forms. Metaphysics is
characterized by the study of “being qua being” – being in general rather than specifically
of this or that sort.
Politics (350 BC) – Politics is the most influential and profound work of Aristotle. He
describes the role that politics and political community must play in bringing about a
virtuous life of the citizens. He defines ‘polis’ or city as a ‘koinonia’ or a political
association.
Physics
Rhetorics
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On the Soul
Eudemian Ethics
Major themes of Aristotle’s political thought:
Theory of State
Aristotle belongs to the Socratic tradition. Like his teacher ‘Plato’, he established the
importance of state.
According to Aristotle, Man is political by nature. Nature has not made man self-
sufficient. Man cannot fulfill his needs on his own.
We cannot have a fulfilled life without the institution of state. Thus it is the destiny of the
man to be a member of the political community.
He rhetorically said the “The man who can live without the state is either a beast or god
but cannot be a man”.
To live without a state, we need to posses super human qualities of beast or god but for
other reasons, State is necessary.
Since, state fulfills the highest of our needs; it is highest of all associations.
Chronologically, man may be prior to the state, but logically, state is prior to man.
According to Aristotle, state is not one family but is a family of families. State is ‘Unity in
Diversity’.
There are different interests within state and we have to achieve “equilibrium” among
various interests.
He said, that “State comes into existence for the sake of life & continues for the sake of
good life”.
Rule of Law:
Aristotle considered that "Law is a reason without Passion", and hence protects people
from the arbitrary misuse of Power by Rulers.
Aristotle is also famously considered as the father of Constitutionalism.
Aristotle has compared rule of law with rule of Philosopher King and has established the
superiority of rule of law.
In short, he criticised the Plato’s conception of Philosopher King.
Aristotle said that Rulers must be “the servants of the laws,” because “law is order, and
good law is good order.”
Law represents collective wisdom which is preferable to the wisdom of one person.
Aristotle talks about the best practicable unlike Plato’s ideal/best and suggests that we
should not sacrifice good for the sake of best because best is unachievable.
Theory of Constitution
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“Good ruler ought to be worldly-wise rather than wise in the world of ideas”-Aristotle
Aristotle is known as the father of constitutionalism because he does not permit the
deviation between the constitution and the manner of government.
There were three major components to the constitutional rule: -
First, it was a rule in the general or common interest of the public, as opposed to a
faction or tyrant's government which is in the interest of a ruler or a faction.
Second, a government could not act in violation of the constitution.
Third, constitutional government means to rule by consent of subjects rather than force.
Aristotle studied 158 constitutions based on his study he gave 6 basic forms of the
constitution.
No. of Person Normal form* Perverted form**
ruling
One Monarchy Tyranny
with supreme virtue as its representing force,
guiding principle selfishness
Few Aristocracy Oligarchy
representing a mixture of representing the greed of
virtue and wealth wealth
Many Polity Democracy/लोकतंत्र
representing martial and representing the principle of
medium virtues, power resting equality with power in the
with the middle-class people hands of the poor
Note - * Normal: in the interest of people ** Perverted: corrupt/self interest
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Why Polity is Best form of Government ?
Polity is a Constitutional Government.
It has moderate form of Democracy.
Its neither the rule by majority, nor by minority.
Its rule by middle class. A class which constituted the mean in the social structure, not
only balancing oligarchic and democratic elements, but also mixing them in right
proportion.
It will ensure stability because middle class is the largest section of the society.
Its a government by Quality as well as by Quantity.
The Polity took into account freedom, wealth, culture, noble birth, and numerical
superiority.
It symbolizes the principle of Mean or moderation or the middle-way principles of
practical Politics.
Government and ruler would be chosen by a combination of lot (elections, property
qualifications and relative merit).
Theory of Citizenship
According to Aristotle, all the residents of a state are not its citizens.
In ancient Greek City-states women, slaves and aliens were not regarded as citizens.
According to Aristotle citizenship is a duty or responsibility.
It is a duty to participate in the affairs of the states.
Aristotle recognized ‘citizenship’ as the privilege of the ruling class.
Hence, he excludes those groups which are not capable of performing these roles.
Women- he believes women are inferior to men. He confines women within the & four
walls of the family.
Old people- because of their health conditions they may not be able to play the required
role.
Children - are immature.
Slaves-They lack reason.
Thus, only natural-born adult males possessing property qualify to be a citizen.
Theory of Slavery
“For that some should rule and others be ruled is a thing not only necessary, but
expedient; from the hour of their birth, same are marked out for subjection other for
rule”. -Aristotle
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According to Aristotle:
Slavery is Natural
Slavery is Useful
Aristotle looks at slavery from a functional point of view.
He classifies slaves into two types:
Slave by law – prisoners of war
Slave by Nature
Who are slaves by nature?
Those who do not have the capacity to take decisions and those who cannot stand to the
consequences of the decision taken.
His theory of slavery is about ‘slaves by nature’. According to him, nature has made two
types of persons:
Those who are mentally strong.
Those who are physically strong.
Those who are mentally strong ought to be Rulers and those who are physically strong
ought to be producer or slave.
Qualities of a ruling class
Reason
Courage
Aristotle states that the institution of slavery is useful for slaves. While staying in the
company of a good master, slave gets an opportunity to develop virtue.
Aristotle suggests that the slave ought to be treated well by the masters. And if he
develops the virtue he must be liberated by the master.
Aristotle also explains the benefits of the institution of slavery for political and
economic system.
According to Aristotle, since slaves are physically strong and can work for long hours.
Masters therefore get time for quality participation in the affairs of the state.
Theory of Property
Aristotle while stating his theory of Property criticizes Plato’s communism of Property.
He looks at the institution of property from a functional perspective. According to him,
property is a source of many virtues.
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Hence he does not support abolishing the institution of private property. At the same
time Aristotle is aware of the negative aspects of property and therefore gives
suggestions to deal with them.
Aristotle classifies property into two types:
Animate (Slaves)
Inanimate (Material holdings)
He talks about three systems of property:
Common ownership, common use – he rejects this system
Common ownership, individual use – he rejects this system
Individual ownership, common use – he supports this system
He talks about the benefits of individual ownership:
Motivation
Self-respect
Productivity
Common use – since the institution of private property may create inequalities among people.
Aristotle suggests that people must contribute part of their income to the state. The state can
take care of the poor with this income.
Therefore Aristotle was against amassing excessive wealth.
Concept of Justice & Equality
‘The goodness in the sphere of politics is justice, and justice contains what tends to
promote the common interest”. - Aristotle
Aristotle’s view of justice reflects his adherence to conservatism as he was in favour of
keeping the existing order intact.
Aristotle believed that justice is the very essence of the state and that no polity can
endure for a long time unless it is founded on a right scheme of justice.
Aristotle’s theory of justice is known as the Theory of Proportionate justice. In Aristotle’s
view, justice is concerned with the regulation of human relations.
He identified three types of justice:
Aristotle’s theory of equality is linked to his theory of justice.
Aristotle believes that inequality, ‘real or imagined’ is the root cause of the Revolution.
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Distributive Retributive Communicative
(Corrective&Rectificatory)
Concern of the Concern of the judges Concern of the judges
legislator
Allocation of Punishment and payment Regulation of voluntary
honours and wealth of damages transaction
According to merit Full restoration of loss Full equivalence of goods and
services to be transacted
Aristotle’s theory of equality is linked to his theory of justice.
Aristotle believes that inequality, ‘real or imagined’ is the root cause of the Revolution.
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Criteria of Equality:
To treat equals equally.
To treat Unequal unequally.
Aristotle supports a Meritocratic society.
His theory of Equality is equated with his theory of Slavery. According to him, those
who have reason and courage ought to be masters and those who lack these ought to be
slaves.
It will be injustice to treat both masters and slaves as equals. Aristotle thus supports
differential rewards
Theory of Revolution
According to Aristotle, any change, big or small, peaceful or violent is revolution.
Aristotle is a conservative and is apprehensive about changes. He prefers stability over
change.
General causes of revolution:
Common cause is the feeling of Inequality.
Corruption among ruling class
Too much influx of foreigners
Solutions to curb revolution:
Change is inevitable
Ensuring that people do not get the feeling of injustice
Keeping a check on corruption
Keeping a check on movements inside and outside the state
Ensuring that the social balance does not get disturbed.
Quotes by Aristotle
“It is unjust to treat equals unequally; It is equally unjust to treat unequal equally”.
“Man is by nature a political animal”.
“Authority of statesman is different from the authority of master.”
“State comes into existence for the sake of life and continues for the sake of good life.”
“State is the highest of all associations.”
“One who can live without state is either a beast or god but he can’t be a man.”
“Polity is the best practicable form of government.”
“Law is a reason without passion.”
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SUBJECT | Political science 10 of 10
