In his work Politics, Aristotle examines six different forms of governing constitutions, and identifies the potencies and weaknesses of each. He concludes through his discussion that the polity is the best form of government for the constitution. This answers his general question of who should rule in order to best reach the goal of the city. However, the question remains how exactly Aristotle sees the polity as trumping the kingship, oligarchy, aristocracy, tyranny and democracy. Furthermore, the characteristics of the polity should be dissolved in order to fully comprehend what a polity is and why it seems to work the best. This includes who should posses the most political power and how the polity is not a singular form of government.
Aristotle explains the polity as a sort of middle ground. This median can be viewed as a balance between two main classes of power—the poor and the rich. In the common society, the poor were seen as the ones limited to resources while the wealthy were usually the group who governed over the poor. This balance known as the middle class helps counter differences present in the two alternate classes. The polity is truly a stated equilibrium between two alternative forms of government—oligarchy and democracy— that Aristotle discusses. Certain aspects from both the democratic and oligarchic ideas of government are comprised to create the polity. The middle class serves as a type of manager between the two extreme classes so the constitution of the polity form turns out to be beneficial to all those in the city.
Book IV focuses heavily on the three forms that Aristotle supports and explains how he arrives at his position on the polity. This “fusion of oligarchy and democracy” is created by including features akin to democracy, such as an assembly open to all. It also characterizes some aspects associated with oligarchy, such elections that place people in high office, and the democratic value of citizen voice. It is important to note that the polity does not have to be strictly one side or the other. If that were the case, the entire basis of thought would be lost. Instead, polities that have a more oligarchic feel will tend to favor wealth and more structure. The central concept to Aristotle’s position is a government that can be both impartial to all people and be able to achieve the common good, not just the good of a few or small class of people. Particularly, Aristotle is disinterested in benefiting simply those who control the means of governance.
In regard to democracy, Aristotle says it is rule by the people. The problem is that the majority of the city is poor, thus the majority of the people in the city are poor and the poor will in turn make the majority of the decisions and have the largest voice. He says the poor do not have the proper skills to practice political rule and that there organizational values are in question. Too many of the people that would rule would lack the proper qualifications needed. Aristotle says it is important to weed out the bad forms to discover the best form in order for the most desirable life to be pursued. He doesn’t see the democracy as the best form when compared to something such as the polity where a sort of average class will be in charge.
Andrew Lintott explains in an article from The Classical Quarterly that Aristotle views democracy as “the least bad of the second group and not far removed from [polity], but oligarchy and tyranny are characterized by the pursuit of private interest rather than the common good” (114). Lintott questions whether some members of the city deserve “unequal rights because of some superior capacity” (117). He says Aristotle shows that the claims advanced by classes in the city for an unbalanced part of the office and power may be undermined. Aristotle also says this justice applies differently in regard of the masses as compared to the wealthy and wellborn.
Lintott explains this by saying, “Conversely, if certain men claim to rule on account of virtue or wealth, the mass as a whole may be more wealthy or virtuous than they.” He compares the understanding of democracy’s chief features to Pericles’ funeral speech in Thucydides’ Peloponnesian War. The speech explains democracy obtains its name from being organized not from the few, but by the majority.
In its strength, democracy is able to provide for the weak. However, it tends to ignore concerns from the upper class and the middle class of society. This definition almost shows democracy as a government only centered on one specific area of the city. In other words, democracy’s strength can also be seen as a weakness. Perhaps Aristotle sees democracy as strong because it caters to the many, even though they might be of a specific class in society. One person cannot supply the best to society, so the more voices, the better.
It is no secret that a weakness is that the democratic system alone does not suit society best because the goal will never be reached. Instead, if so much emphasis is placed on the poor and all their needs are sufficed, they will become part of the rich and then nothing but oligarchy will remain.
I think Aristotle’s argument is valid. The best form of government should not be a single unilateral form. Instead, it is best to be inclusive of multiple forms of government so that one form doesn’t outweigh another. The inclusion of oligarchic and democratic principles is great for the polity because it helps provide a class or rulers who are fit while not placing too much emphasis on the needy. He aimed to evaluate the best forms of governments on common grounds and did just that. Aristotle identified an ideal constitution that would help the city. However, we know now that not all cities are polar.
The heterogeneous forms of life today cannot be based always on one form of government. In some areas, the middle class is viewed as Americans would view the rich. In others, the middle class is the poor. It all depends upon what best suits society, such as Aristotle pointed out in his work. Unfortunately, he can only be right most of the time. In some cases, the life of virtue desired cannot be achieved by the polity. However, in most cases it can be.
Works Cited
Lintott, Andrew. "Aristotle and Democracy." The Classical Quarterly 42.1 (1992): 114-128. JSTOR. Web. 7 Oct. 2010.
Corey Morris - Hello There! I'm a senior at Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia and an avid reporter for the campus newspaper, The Rotunda. A ...
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