Introduction

According to Aristotle, all communities aim for some good. He talks about a state (polis)
specifically a city- a state (also called Athens) being the highest kind of community aiming at the
highest of goods. The most primitive of communities are families of men and women, masters,
and slaves. Families combine to make a village and several villages combine to make a state.
The state is no less natural than the family and this is proved by the fact that human beings have
the power of speech, the purpose of which is set forth the expedient and inexpedient (practical or
not practical). They also set forth justice and injustice and this was the foundation of the state
where human beings would fulfill their potential.
1. With relevant examples explain the difference between rule by one, many, and few
by Aristotle
Government according to Aristotle must be in the hands of one, of a few, or of many and
governments can govern for the general good and the good of the rulers.
a. Rule by one person for the general good is referred to as “monarchy” for private benefit
“tyranny”.
A monarchy was seen in Sweden when Charles XII inherited the throne from his father, King
Charles XI, though, he never enjoyed absolute power because he was only allowed to legislate is
the country’s nobility, clergy, aristocrats, and peasants agreed.
Tyranny was practiced in the United States and include the Salem Witch Trials of 1692-93 C.E,
which saw a frenzied tyranny driven by strict Puritan religious leaders. Thirty people were
convicted of witchcraft, 14 women and 5 men, and were executed by hanging.
b. Rule by a few is “aristocracy” if it aims at the states’ best interests and “oligarchy” if it
aims at benefiting only the ruling minority.
A classic example of aristocracy is the “feudal system” which existed in Europe during the
Middle Ages, where under this system, power was held by a small group of land owners that
granted land to lesser nobles in exchange for loyalty and service and the nobbles, in turn, granted
the land to peasants who worked the land and paid for taxes to their lords.
The most common and well-known example of “oligarchy” is the rule in Russia which has taken
place since the 1400s. Those who are wealthy in Russia have to maintain contact with the
government or lose their power.
c. Rule by many for a common interest is called “polity” and “democracy” for anarchic mob
rule
In a democratic country, the people vote for an elected representative like in Uganda, and
democracies are more than systems of voting participatory systems like FDC and NRM are
where any one can contribute to the general politics.
 2. Using your knowledge of understanding ethics identify your position in the three regimes
by Aristotle (critique)

Aristotle classified states according to two variables which include “who holds power?” and
“whose interest it is exercised?”

He answered the questions in these possible ways that some and all the kingship, aristocracy, and
politeia hold the power and two, politically possible answers to the second included that the
holder of power and everyone exercises it

He treated kingship and aristocracy as an ideal constitution run by morally and practically
virtuous people and aimed at the development and exercise of virtue (high moral standards).

The ideal is the state in which the best, who are inevitably few in number, exercise power in the
interests of all. However, since that ideal is hard to achieve and even harder to sustain, Aristotle
advocated a form of mixed government, or "politeia", in which all citizens "rule and are ruled by
turn", and power is monopolized by no particular class. Aristotle was a vigorous critic of
democracy.

3. With three examples explain how the above can help us form social ethics or can
help us to have a stable society
a. Rule by One
Rule by one brings us to the golden rule that emphasizes that “we should do to others what
we would have them do to us” Since a leader assumes power, he or she should make sure that
while in that position, he should satisfy the obligations of the people like as is he was
satisfying his own so that people would also treat him fairly with support and respect and
promote peace and unity in his rile.
b. Rule by many
In a democratic country, the people vote for an elected representative like in Uganda, and
democracies are more than systems of voting participatory systems like FDC and NRM are
where anyone can contribute to the general politics. This leader that is voted from one of the
parties takes on 5 years of rule and his rule through that time is subjected to testing and
therefore the people can know whether to trust them or not. This has promoted peace and
harmony
 c. Rule by few.
Here, there is quickening of decision making since the leaders do not face any opposition that
comes along with the risky and highly stressful situations. It is therefore reducing decision
making delay for example the autocracy that was led by napoleon Bonaparte, decisions,
conclusions and choices would come rapidly in the absence of debate from large governing
parties. Orders are clearly understood and followed since they come from the central source
of authority. This leads to clear and quick action to deal with immediate threat which helps to
protect the country from Amy prevailing calamity.
References

Britannica (2019). Aristotle - Political theory. In: Encyclopædia Britannica. [online]

Available at: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Aristotle/Political-theory.

Philosophy Stack Exchange. (n.d.). history of philosophy - What kind of government

did Aristotle consider the best? [online] Available at:
https://philosophy.stackexchange.com/questions/6456/what-kind-of-government-
did-aristotle-consider-the-best.

World Justice Project. (n.d.). What is the Rule of Law? [online] Available at:

https://worldjusticeproject.org/about-us/overview/what-rule-law#:~:text=It%20is
%20the%20foundation%20for.
‌
www.examplesof.com. (n.d.). Example of Tyranny. [online] Available at:
https://www.examplesof.com/society/tyranny.html [Accessed 16 Mar. 2023].