Aristotle’s Politics
The following is an excerpt from Politics written by the Greek
philosopher Aristotle in 360 BCE. In this passage, Aristotle discusses
what makes good and bad governments.
“The best and most just forms of government are those where either the
one, or the few, or the many govern with what is in the best interests of
all people in mind. Governments that rule with only their own interests
in mind, or with only the interests of a small minority of people in mind,
are perversions (corrupt and wrong). In a just State (country), all
citizens should be able to benefit from the actions of the government.
The form of just (good) government where one person rules is called a
kingship, and is made up of a wise and noble king. The form of just
government where more than one but still not many rule is called an
aristocracy and this is made up of the best men that have the best
interests of the people in mind. The good form of government where all
citizens run the government for the common interests of all is called a
constitutional democracy. However, the constitutional democracy is the
worst of the good forms of government. This is because one man or a
few can easily govern in a fair and just way; but as the number increases
it becomes more difficult for men to agree and to work together in an
honorable and virtuous (noble) way for the good of all.
Each just government has its own perversion (bad form). Tyranny is the
perversion of kingship where the king has only his own interests in
mind. Oligarchy is the perversion of aristocracy where the only the
interests of the rich are represented. Mob rule democracy is the
perversion of constitutional democracy where the poor and the ignorant
terrorize all others.
Source: Politics. Written by Aristotle in 360 BCE.
Name________________
Guiding Questions
Aristotle’s Politics
1. Describe: According to Aristotle, what is the key feature of a just (good) government?
What is the key feature of a bad (perversion) government?
2.
Identify. According to Aristotle, what are the three just (good) forms of government?
3. Explain: According to Aristotle, what is the worst of the good forms of government? Why
is this?
4. Identify: According to Aristotle, what are the three bad (perversion) forms of
government?
5. Analyze: In what ways do you think the ideas expressed in Aristotle’s Politics influenced
the American government today?
Aristotle Excerpt #1
The following is an excerpt from Politics written by the Greek
philosopher Aristotle in 360 BCE. In this passage, Aristotle discusses
the nature of liberty and freedom.
All governments have three parts. There is a Congress that thinks about
the needs of the people, an executive leader that exercises his authority
for what has been decided to be in the best interests of the people, and a
third part which has the power to judge.
The congress has authority in matters of war and peace, and in making
alliances. It passes laws, exiles citizens, elects leaders and investigates
them as well. .
Those leaders that are executives have the power to command. Congress
determines the nature of their powers, but they include defending the
country and regulating trade and business.
The judges hear cases on laws that are broke and make decisions on
punishment. They consider ordinary offenses against the state, treason
against the constitution, cases of homicide, and even small suits about
sums of a drachma (money) up to five drachmas (a small amount).
Source: Politics. Written by Aristotle in 360 BCE.
Aristotle Excerpt #2 (Document B)
The following is an excerpt from Politics written by the Greek
philosopher Aristotle in 360 BCE. In this passage, Aristotle discusses
public education.
If a citizen is to participate in his government as he should, the citizen
should understand the form of government under which he lives. To
accomplish this, education should be one and the same for all, and it
should be public so that everyone can have access to it. It must be taught
that citizens should not act just in their own self-interest (selfishness).
Each citizen is part of the country, and the well-being of each person is
connected to the well-being of the whole (we must help each other out
for the common good). There are four branches of education that should
be taught to all, and they are reading and writing, gymnastic exercise,
music, and mathematical drawing.
Source: Politics. Written by Aristotle in 360 BCE.
Aristotle Excerpt #3 (Document C)
The following is an excerpt from Politics written by the Greek
philosopher Aristotle in 360 BCE. In this passage, Aristotle discusses
the importance of a strong middle class of people.
"We
have established that it is the feature (job) of just (good)
government to provide the best life for the most men. Now in all States
there are three social classes of people: one class is very rich, another is
very poor, and a third is in the middle. There cannot be many rich
without their also being many poor, and because of this the best political
community is formed by citizens of the middle class. The strength of the
middle class prevents either of the two extremes (the rich and poor)
from taking over. A State should consist as much as possible of equals,
and these people are generally from the middle classes.”
Source: Politics. Written by Aristotle in 360 BCE.
Document
Document A
Document B
Document C
Summarize: what is the main
idea Aristotle is trying to get
across?
Analyze: How has Aristotle’s
idea influenced Western
political thought?
Hypothesize: write a THESIS
on how Aristotle’s ideas have
influenced America today?