Ancient Political Theory

Ancient Political TheoryAristotle’s Politics

Humanity: Essence vs Contingency Aristotle’s description of essence of polis Polis is that arena which allows us to behuman Means we need to understand the essenceof man (mankind) That is, to know “real” political society,need to know human essence, need toknow human nature

Human Nature What is human nature? Distinguish between attributes which arecontingent and those which are essential– Contingent: those of our qualities which wecan do without– Essential: those attributes which we can’t e.g. analogy with personal identity unchosen attributes so integral to an understandingof what you are, the absence of which would entailchange in one’s identity

Human Nature For Aristotle, human beings are thezoon politikon, defined by reason,speech, public dialogue Polis, then, is not production of justmere life, but good life Mere life is necessary, but it is not anintegral part of the good lifeback

Humanity: Essence vs Contingency If Political life is so crucial, then weneed to know how best to do it

II. Classification of Constitutions The State (Polis):– An association of citizens in aconstitution– “The city is the multitude of suchpersons that is adequate with a view toa self-sufficient life, to speak simply”(III, 1)back

II. Classification of Constitutions Citizens:“A citizen proper is not one by virtue of residencein a given place: for even aliens and slaves mayshare the common place of residence…” (III, 1,1274b).“Nor those who share in legal processes only tothe extent of being entitled to sue and be sued inthe courts…” (III, 1, 1274b).

II. Classification of Constitutions“Who the citizen is, then, is evidentfrom these things. Whoever is entitledto participate in an office involvingdeliberation or decision is, we can nowsay, a citizen in this city…” (III, 1,1275b)

II. Classification of Constitutions Note, this means that not everyonenecessary for the city counts as a citizen:“The truth is that we cannot include as citizensall who are necessary to the city’s existence…The best form of city will not make themechanic a citizen” (III, 5, 1277b).(recall the prior discussion of natural slaves)back

II. Classification of Constitutions The Constitution:“The regime [constitution] is anarrangement of a city with respect to itsoffices, particularly the one that hasauthority over all” (III, 6, 1278b)The “one with authority over all” defines thesovereign. It is the ultimate ruler in the affairsof the city.back

II. Classification of Constitutions Classifies on the basis of two criteria:– Size of the Ruling Regime– “End” of the Regime

Aristotle’s Regime Types“End” of RegimePublic GoodPrivate GainSizeOfRegimeMonarchyAristocracyTyrannyOligarchyPolityDemocracyback

Aristotle’s Regime Types“End” of RegimePublic GoodPrivate GainSizeOfRegimeMonarchyAristocracyTyrannyOligarchyPolityDemocracy

Aristotle’s Regime Types“End” of RegimePublic GoodPrivate GainSizeOfRegimeMonarchyAristocracyTyrannyOligarchyPolityDemocracy

Aristotle’s Regime Types“End” of RegimePublic GoodPrivate GainSizeOfRegimeMonarchyAristocracyTyrannyOligarchyPolityDemocracy

Aristotle’s Regime Types“End” of RegimePublic GoodPrivate GainSizeOfRegimeMonarchyAristocracyTyrannyOligarchyPolityDemocracy

Aristotle’s Regime Types“End” of RegimePublic GoodPrivate GainSizeOfRegimeMonarchyAristocracyTyrannyOligarchyPolityDemocracy

Aristotle’s Regime Types“End” of RegimePublic GoodPrivate GainSizeOfRegimeMonarchyAristocracyTyrannyOligarchyPolityDemocracy

III. Conclusion & Preview Given these different regime types,which one is best? What is the best regime? What explains the transformation ofthese regimes?back