Ancient Political Theory
Aristotle’s Politics
Aristotle
1.
2.
Humanity: Essence vs Contingency
Classification of Constitutions
Humanity: Essence vs Contingency
Aristotle’s description of essence of polis
 Polis is that arena which allows us to be
human
 Means we need to understand the essence
of man (mankind)
 That is, to know “real” political society,
need to know human essence, need to
know human nature

Human Nature
What is human nature?
 Distinguish between attributes which are
contingent and those which are essential

– Contingent: those of our qualities which we
can do without
– Essential: those attributes which we can’t
 e.g.
analogy with personal identity
 unchosen attributes so integral to an understanding
of what you are, the absence of which would entail
change in one’s identity
Human Nature
 For
Aristotle, human beings are the
zoon politikon, defined by reason,
speech, public dialogue
 Polis, then, is not production of just
mere life, but good life
 Mere life is necessary, but it is not an
integral part of the good life
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Humanity: Essence vs Contingency
 If
Political life is so crucial, then we
need to know how best to do it
II. Classification of Constitutions
 Based
on observation of “real world”
constitutions
 Terms we need to define:
– State
– Citizen
– Constitution
II. Classification of Constitutions
 The
State (Polis):
– An association of citizens in a
constitution
– “The city is the multitude of such
persons that is adequate with a view to
a self-sufficient life, to speak simply”
(III, 1)
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II. Classification of Constitutions

Citizens:
“A citizen proper is not one by virtue of residence
in a given place: for even aliens and slaves may
share the common place of residence…” (III, 1,
1274b).
“Nor those who share in legal processes only to
the extent of being entitled to sue and be sued in
the courts…” (III, 1, 1274b).
II. Classification of Constitutions
“Who the citizen is, then, is evident
from these things. Whoever is entitled
to participate in an office involving
deliberation or decision is, we can now
say, a citizen in this city…” (III, 1,
1275b)
II. Classification of Constitutions

Note, this means that not everyone
necessary for the city counts as a citizen:
“The truth is that we cannot include as citizens
all who are necessary to the city’s existence…
The best form of city will not make the
mechanic a citizen” (III, 5, 1277b).
(recall the prior discussion of natural slaves)
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II. Classification of Constitutions

The Constitution:
“The regime [constitution] is an
arrangement of a city with respect to its
offices, particularly the one that has
authority over all” (III, 6, 1278b)
The “one with authority over all” defines the
sovereign. It is the ultimate ruler in the affairs
of the city.
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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 Regime
Public Good
Size
Of
Regime
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Private Gain
Monarchy
Tyranny
Aristocracy
Oligarchy
Polity
Democracy
Aristotle’s Regime Types
“End” of Regime
Public Good
Size
Of
Regime
Private Gain
Monarchy
Tyranny
Aristocracy
Oligarchy
Polity
Democracy
Aristotle’s Regime Types
“End” of Regime
Public Good
Size
Of
Regime
Private Gain
Monarchy
Tyranny
Aristocracy
Oligarchy
Polity
Democracy
Aristotle’s Regime Types
“End” of Regime
Public Good
Size
Of
Regime
Private Gain
Monarchy
Tyranny
Aristocracy
Oligarchy
Polity
Democracy
Aristotle’s Regime Types
“End” of Regime
Public Good
Size
Of
Regime
Private Gain
Monarchy
Tyranny
Aristocracy
Oligarchy
Polity
Democracy
Aristotle’s Regime Types
“End” of Regime
Public Good
Size
Of
Regime
Private Gain
Monarchy
Tyranny
Aristocracy
Oligarchy
Polity
Democracy
Aristotle’s Regime Types
“End” of Regime
Public Good
Size
Of
Regime
Private Gain
Monarchy
Tyranny
Aristocracy
Oligarchy
Polity
Democracy
III. Conclusion & Preview
 Given
these different regime types,
which one is best?
 What is the best regime?
 What explains the transformation of
these regimes?
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