02-09, 15:05

Aristotle theory of State.

Q. Comment: "The polis exists by nature and that

is prior to the individual." (Aristotle)

Q. Comment: "The state is a creation of nature

and man is by nature a political animal."
(Aristotle)

[ Prominent statements of Aristotle on theory of

state ]

Man is by nature political (social) animal.

State comes into existence for sake of life and

continues for sake for good life.

State is highest of all associations.

One who can live without state is either a beast

or God, he cannot be a man.
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State is a union of family and religious.

Man is by nature political animal.

□ Intro
In above statements Aristotle talks about the
importance of the state. He tries to show that
man is by nature a political animal, which means
nature has not made man in such a way that he
can live without state.  Aristotle belongs to the
Socratic tradition. And counters the sophists
argument that state is conventional and man is
measure of everything  or man is prior to state.

□ Body
To prove that ‘man is by nature a political animal’,
Aristotle gives following arguments.
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1] On the basis of the analysis of the needs of

man.
Nature has not made man self-sufficient. Even to
fulfill basic needs, hence the first association is
family. Family can fulfill some of the needs but not
all of the needs, hence man has formed village.
Village can fulfill some of the needs but not all of
the needs, and hence man has created State.

Thus State is the highest of all associations. Only

State is capable of fulfilling all the requirements of
man. Neither family is sufficient nor village is, the
only institution which is self sufficient is State.

It also suggests that State is the ultimate

institution, there is no institution of any
significance beyond state and it deserves the
highest share in man’s obligations in his life.

State is the precondition for good life.

Hence man cannot have fulfilled life without
state. In the words of Aristotle, “State comes into
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existence for sake of life and continues for the

sake of good life.” Thus on the basis of analysis of
the needs of man, Aristotle proves, State as a
natural institution and man as a political animal.

In the words of Aristotle, “One who can live

without State, can be either beast or God, he
cannot be man. It means one should possess
‘superhuman qualities’ of either beast or God to
be able to live without State.

2] On the basis of Logic.

Though historically or chronologically man comes
before State, but Logically State comes before
man. How? Though man came first yet, the life of
man, was not worth calling the human life, until
and unless man has not formed the state.

3] Teleological Argument / School of Destiny.

Aristotle believes in the school of destiny. The
destiny of man is, he has to live under the state.
Nature has made man in such a manner, that he
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cannot avoid state.

Thus on the basis of above logics, he has

established the importance of state in the life of
man

□ Conclusion
Critical Evaluation.
Weather State is natural necessity remains a
matter of debate amongst political scholars. e.g.
If Idealists believe that State is necessary and
source of virtue, liberals believe that State is a
necessary evil and anarchist believe that State is
‘unnecessary evil.’
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Theory of Slavery
Aristotle suggests that slavery is natural as well as desirable/useful.
Slavery was the institution practiced in ancient Greece. There used
to be two categories of slaves. 1) Natural Slaves or Slave by nature.
2) Slave by law. (Prisoners of war)

Aristotle’s theory is about those who are slave by nature.

According to him, nature has made two types of persons 1) Those
who are slave by nature. 2) Those who are master by nature. Those
who are mentally strong are meant to be masters. Those who are
physically strong are meant to be the slaves by nature.

He wants us to understand message of nature. Nature has made

some persons physically strong so that they can perform the
physical work for longer duration. Some men are mentally strong
because nature want them to be involved in the works which
require mental strength or reason.

Master posses two qualities: reason and courage. Those who are
masters they are supposed to take decisions, hence those who can
take decisions as well as have courage to stand by the
consequences of the decisions are the masters. (Courage of
conviction).

Those who are slaves by nature, do not have reason and courage.
Courage is also important characteristic because if we do not have
courage, we will not be able to make decisions.
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Utility of slavery system.

It is useful to the economic system. Those who are physically

strong can work for longer duration. It is useful for state. If master
has a slave, slave will work for him and master can afford to make
qualitative participation in the State.

It is useful for master. It will give opportunity to the master to

enhance his virtues. It is useful for Slave. Some are slave by nature,
and cannot live on their own, they need master and in the company
of good master, at least slave will have opportunity to develop
some virtues.

Aristotle also suggests that if slave develops virtues of reason and

courage, master can make him free. He was aware that slaves are
not being treated properly hence he suggest that masters should
take care of the slaves properly.

Critical Evaluation

Slavery is natural. Slavery may be natural, but we do not live in

nature. Survival of the fittest may be the principle in nature, it need
not to be a principles in society. Socrates himself held that what is
should not determine what ought to be, it should be vice–versa.

In contemporary times, no amount of utility of the institution can

justify slavery. Every person ought to be treated with respect.
Human dignity is a principle which cannot be compromised. We can
quote Immanuel Kant, he has given the principle of human dignity.
“Each man in an end in itself. No one ought to treat other person as
a means to an end.” each person has its own intrinsic value and no
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one ought to be treated as a means of utility for other.

Aristotle’s theory of slavery also provides justification for myths

like ‘Benevolent Despotism’, ‘White man’s burden’ & ‘Civilizing
mission.’
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Theory of Constitution (Polity)

Q. Comment : "Polity is the best practicable form

of government." (Aristotle)

Q. Central to Aristotle's political thought is his

classification of the different types of political
constitutions in the politics. Evaluate.

Q. Comment : "polity or constitutional

government may be described as a fusion of
oligarchy and democracy." (Aristotle)

Q. Explain the Aristotelian view of politics. To what

extent do you think it has contributed to the
development of modern-day constitutional
democracies ?

□ Intro
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Aristotle is known as father of political science.

One of the reason is, his contribution to the
theory of constitution. He has studied around 158
constitutions & on the basis of his analysis, he
has given the classification of constitutions. On
the basis of his observation and analysis, he
suggests that Polity is the ‘Best Practicable’
form of government.

□ Body
We can see the application of his principle of
‘golden mean’ while arriving at this conclusion.
Polity is golden mean of oligarchy and democracy.
Since it is situated between these two form in his
classification. Polity is the rule of middle class. It
avoids the extremes of the other two systems.
e.g. Oligarchy is the rule of few rich while
democracy is rule of masses or many ignorant
poors. Polity is the moderation. It is a rule of rich,
but not extremely rich. It is rule of many rather
than few, but not of too many.
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The rule of middle class is always better

according to Aristotle because rich and poor both
are susceptible to crimes. One commits crime out
of arrogance and the other commits crime out of
ignorance. Rich will not trust poor, poor will not
trust rich. Hence either of the rule will not be
stable. However both will trust the middle class.
Hence the rule of middle class is more stable.

□ Conclusion
He gives the example of many great law-givers
like Solon, coming from the middle class. Middle
class posses reason and since they are not very
rich, they are not arrogant and thus the rule of
middle class is the best practicable form of
government.
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Theory of Revolution & Justice

[Equality]

Q. Comment : 'The aims persued by

revolutionaries, like the origins of revolution, are
the same in tyrannies and kingships as they are
under regular Constitutions.'
(Aristotle)

Q. Comment in 150 words : Aristotle’s Conception

of Equality

Q. Everywhere, inequality is a cause of revolution

- Aristotle. Comment.

“It is unjust to treat equal unequally and it is equally

unjust to treat unequal equally.”

□ Intro
In above statement Aristotle has given his idea of
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justice and equality. He gives the theory in the

context of describing the most common cause
behind revolution. On the basis of analysis of 158
constitutions, he suggests that most common
cause has been the feeling of inequality, real or
imagined. As it is directly linked to the feeling of
injustice.
His theory of justice is based on common sense,
unlike the very abstract theory of justice give by
Plato.

□ Body
**[He has given general and regime specific
causes e.g. In Monarchy it is family conspiracy, in
democracy it conspiracy by rich people. And
general causes include passion for power, poor
governance.
However according to Aristotle, most common
cause has been inequality because it gives rise to
injustice.]**
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He discussed justice in two dimensions.

1] Rectificatory Justice: Which is linked to the

system of grievance redressal, administered by
courts. He gives the principle of proportion. It
means penalty should be in proportion to the
harm done.

2] Distributive Justice: Which is linked with the

distribution of resources, honors, awards etc. In
this case also he gives the principles of
proportionate justice. Distributive justice can be
called as social justice or public policy. According
to him, state should reward the person in
proportion of his contribution to society. A person
whose work is more important for society ought
to get more.

Hence he suggests that, it is unjust to treat

equals unequally – which means two persons
having equal merit are to be rewarded equally. He
further says that – it is also unjust to treat
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unequal equally. Two persons who differ in merit –

if state gives them equal treatment, they are
bound to feel injustice.

□ Conclusion
We can link this theory with his theory of slavery.
According to him, some are masters by nature
and some are slaves by nature. If masters and
slaves are treated equally, this itself is injustice.

**[Universal cause behind all revolutions.

Whether it is French revolution or Russian
evolution, Chinese revolution or recent Arab
Spring is Inequality.]**
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Rule of law is better than rule of men

(Aristotle)

Law is a reason without passions.”

□ Intro
Aristotle is known as father of constitutionalism or
rule of law. The rule of law represents the limitations
on the powers of executives. Executive has to act
according to the law, they cannot act in an arbitrary
manner.

□ Body
This theory comes in context of criticism of Plato’s
theory of Philosopher King where he gives absolute
powers to the Philosopher King. He rejects Plato’s
views on the ground of utopianism, inherent dangers:
he will turn up into a tyrant.

Not only rule of law and rule of knowledge is same, at

the same time rule of law has some additional
benefits. First he proves that rule of law and rule of
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reason is same.
1] Law is also a product of reason. 2] Law is a outward
manifestation of reason. (Reason is in the soul, Law is
in the book of law.) 3] Both law and reason serve
similar purpose. To guide what is right and what is
wrong.

Additional Benefits
Law is a reason without passions, which means law is
impersonal. Law represents collective wisdom of
ages, whereas philosopher King represents the
wisdom of a person in a given situation.

□ Conclusion
It is true that rule of law has some limitations e.g. Law
may be rigid, or law may be silent.
However rule of law is a ‘Golden mean’. One should
not sacrifice good for the sake of best.
Plato himself accepted the limitations of his ideas and
changed his views in his book “The laws.”
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The authority of statesman is

different than authority of masters. –
Aristotle

□ Intro
This statement comes in context of criticism of
Plato’s theory of philosopher king.

□ Body
According to Plato, state is a large family.
Philosopher king is like a father and citizens are
like children. Like members of family, they should
sacrifice for each other. Like the authority of
father is absolute on children, the authority of
king is absolute on citizens.

According to Aristotle, state is not a family, but

family of families. Authority of statesman has to
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be seen different from the authority of master.

Authority of master is absolute in the family, on
wife, children and slave. Authority of statesman
cannot be absolute. Citizens are adults, they
come together to make laws.

The best approach to make laws is through

deliberation. Aristotle recommends polity as the
best practicable form of government. Different
families have different interests, hence when
they come together, they can negotiate with
each other. State is not unity but unity in
diversity. Hence the authority of the statesman
cannot be equal to the authority of master. Hence
the principles of family cannot be applied on the
state.

□ Conclusion
[ Locke’s theory of property is also similar to
Aristotle’s theory of property.]