Aristotle on the Polity Essay Example
IS A POLITY THE BEST FORM OF CONSTITUTION?
ARISTOTLE: Question #7
In Politics Books 3 and 4, Aristotle analyzes different types of constitutions, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of each. Aristotle regards a "polity" as the best for of constitution. According to Aristotle, why is a polity the best type of constitution? What are the characteristics of a polity? What sorts of problems does it overcome? In a polity, whom would posses political power and why? What type of justice would prevail?
Could there really be rule by the middle class, effectively keeping the upper and lower class from exploiting each other? It would be a fantastic approach to government, but probably one that is not possible in today's political world. Would it not be great to have more of a say in what happens in your world? Especially if it meant getting to tell the ultra-rich, like Bill Gates and Michael Eisner that they could not build 75,000 square foot houses on 1000 acres of land because that land was going to be needed for the development of homes for those that are less fortunate than they are. Is this what Aristotle had in mind when he described his idea of polity? Was there any issue such as this occurring while he was describing his ideal form of constitution? One will probably never know the answers to some of the previous questions, but Aristotle makes clear why he believes that polity is the best form of constitution. By mixing aspects of democratic and oligarchic principles, by having the middle class play the role of mediator between the rich and the poor, and having a political community that strives for virtue and correct justice, Aristotle asserts that by doing this, a constitution will be effective and long lasting. According to Aristotle, the polity is the best type of constitution because of the presence and sheer number of the middle class. The middle class help counter the differences between the poor, such as one having money and property, and the
ARISTOTLE: Question #7
In Politics Books 3 and 4, Aristotle analyzes different types of constitutions, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of each. Aristotle regards a "polity" as the best for of constitution. According to Aristotle, why is a polity the best type of constitution? What are the characteristics of a polity? What sorts of problems does it overcome? In a polity, whom would posses political power and why? What type of justice would prevail?
Could there really be rule by the middle class, effectively keeping the upper and lower class from exploiting each other? It would be a fantastic approach to government, but probably one that is not possible in today's political world. Would it not be great to have more of a say in what happens in your world? Especially if it meant getting to tell the ultra-rich, like Bill Gates and Michael Eisner that they could not build 75,000 square foot houses on 1000 acres of land because that land was going to be needed for the development of homes for those that are less fortunate than they are. Is this what Aristotle had in mind when he described his idea of polity? Was there any issue such as this occurring while he was describing his ideal form of constitution? One will probably never know the answers to some of the previous questions, but Aristotle makes clear why he believes that polity is the best form of constitution. By mixing aspects of democratic and oligarchic principles, by having the middle class play the role of mediator between the rich and the poor, and having a political community that strives for virtue and correct justice, Aristotle asserts that by doing this, a constitution will be effective and long lasting. According to Aristotle, the polity is the best type of constitution because of the presence and sheer number of the middle class. The middle class help counter the differences between the poor, such as one having money and property, and the