Atirtotle's Politics
Aristotle's Politics is a timeless examination of government structure
and human nature that explains his ideas on how a utopian state can be achieved.
In this work, Aristotle examines ubiquitous issues such as government structure,
education, crime, property ownership, the honesty of occupations, and population
control. He states in Book IV, Chapter Eleven "?the best form of political
association is one where power is vested in the middle class, and secondly, that
good government is attainable in those cities where there is a large middle
class?"
The polis is a partnership of citizens in a system of government that
serves to achieve the common good. It is not just a place where people live
together for defense against enemies and for the exchange of goods. It is
rather a partnership between households, clans, and villages for the sake of a
fully developed and self-sufficient life. The polis gives those who possess
wisdom and moral intellect a chance to move up to high positions
Justice is the political good in the polis, and it must promote the
common interest of the people. What is perceived to be good has to be
distributive and regulative. The law is the regulating mechanism that emerges
from free and equal people in civic associations. It serves as the final
arbiter of problems, and stands above individuals and binds their actions. Laws
change habits and training, but are changeable through certain circumstances and
procedures if it is believed to be unjust. The well-being of a society is