Citizenship is a concept that has been debated for centuries, with different philosophers and thinkers offering their own definitions and criteria.
One such philosopher is known to have had a significant impact on the Western world – Aristotle. In his work, he delves into the nature of citizenship, exploring what it means to be a citizen and who qualifies as one.
Aristotle’s ideas on citizenship are still relevant today, and understanding them can provide insight into the role of citizens in society.
In this article, we will explore Aristotle’s definition of citizenship, his criteria for being a good citizen, and his thoughts on the middle class’s role in the state.
Join us as we delve into the world of Aristotle and his ideas on citizenship.
Who Is A Citizen According To Aristotle
According to Aristotle, a citizen is someone who possesses the virtues of ruling and being ruled. This means that a citizen is not just someone who lives in a city or has access to the courts of law. Instead, a citizen is someone who shares in the administration of justice and the holding of public office.
Aristotle broadens this definition by stating that a citizen is anyone who is entitled to share in deliberative or judicial office. He also acknowledges that citizenship is often reserved for those who are born to citizen parents, but this hereditary status becomes irrelevant in times of revolution or constitutional change, during which the body of citizens alters.
Aristotle raises the question of who may be justly granted citizenship and whether the city can be held accountable for decisions made by governing individuals if these individuals have not been justly granted citizenship. He suggests that a city is defined by its constitution, so a change in constitution signifies a change in the city.
Aristotle also acknowledges that manual laborers are necessary to a city but states that not everyone who is necessary to the city can be a citizen. Good citizenship requires that the citizen be free from the necessary tasks of life. Still, in oligarchies, in which citizenship is determined by wealth, a rich manual laborer may qualify for citizenship.
Introduction To Aristotle’s Definition Of Citizenship
Aristotle’s definition of citizenship is not based on birth or status, but rather on function. He believed that participation and political authority were essential to citizenship. For Aristotle, a good citizen in the ideal state is identical to the fully ethically virtuous person. This means that the virtues needed to live a good human life are the same as those needed to rule and be ruled in turn. Ethics and politics are linked in Aristotle’s view, and his program for civic education is connected to his program for ethical training. This makes the civic educational process intensive and somewhat foreign to modern conceptions of civic preparation. However, many influential thinkers today have drawn on Aristotelian ideas of citizenship to develop their own theories of governance for modern states. Social democrats, communitarians, and others looking to revive the link between civic education and participatory communities have all looked explicitly (and sometimes implicitly) to Aristotle for guidance.
What Does It Mean To Be A Citizen According To Aristotle?
To Aristotle, being a citizen means possessing the virtues of ruling and being ruled. This definition goes beyond simply living in a city or having access to the courts of law. A citizen is someone who shares in the administration of justice and the holding of public office.
Aristotle also expands on this definition by stating that citizenship is not just limited to those born to citizen parents. Anyone who is entitled to share in deliberative or judicial office can also be considered a citizen. However, he notes that citizenship is not a static concept and can change during times of revolution or constitutional change.
Aristotle also raises important questions about who may be justly granted citizenship and whether the city can be held accountable for decisions made by governing individuals who have not been justly granted citizenship. He suggests that a city is defined by its constitution, which means that a change in constitution signifies a change in the city.
Furthermore, Aristotle acknowledges that manual laborers are necessary to a city but states that not all necessary individuals can be citizens. Good citizenship requires freedom from the necessary tasks of life. However, in oligarchies where citizenship is determined by wealth, a rich manual laborer may qualify for citizenship.
Aristotle’s Criteria For Being A Good Citizen
Aristotle suggests that being a good citizen means upholding and honoring the constitution of the city. This requires possessing the virtues of ruling and being ruled, which are the same as those needed to live a good human life. In Aristotle’s ideal state, a good citizen is identical to the fully ethically virtuous person.
Aristotle also acknowledges that there are different kinds of constitutions, and therefore different kinds of good citizens. However, perfect virtue is the only standard for being a good man, so it is possible to be a good citizen without being a good man.
Aristotle further suggests that a good ruler who possesses practical wisdom can be both a good citizen and a good man. However, not everyone who is necessary to the city can be a citizen. Good citizenship requires that the citizen be free from the necessary tasks of life.
The Role Of The Middle Class In The State According To Aristotle
Aristotle believed that a state’s best political community is formed by citizens of the middle class. He argued that a strong middle class is essential for the proper functioning of a state, as it prevents the domination of either extreme – the rich or the poor. According to Aristotle, a state in which citizens have moderate and sufficient property is fortunate, as it is less likely to give rise to extreme democracy, pure oligarchy, or tyranny.
Aristotle’s theory of the middle class is based on the idea that it serves as a mediator between the rich and poor. In a city where there are only rich and poor citizens, there is no spirit of friendship or harmony, which is necessary for a healthy city. The middle class holds no grudges and is not prone to factionalism, making it an ideal arbitrator.
Furthermore, Aristotle suggests that a strong middle class rarely develops. It is possible neither in small cities nor in superpowers like Athens and Sparta, which encourage democracy and oligarchy respectively. Therefore, Aristotle recommends that some minor property qualification be required for those wishing to participate in government.
Aristotle also considers the three elements of civic government: deliberative, executive, and judicial. The middle class plays an essential role in all three elements. It deals with public matters such as foreign policy, enacting laws, appointing public officials, and passing rulings on matters of private and public interest.
The Relevance Of Aristotle’s Ideas On Citizenship Today
Despite being written over 2000 years ago, Aristotle’s ideas on citizenship continue to hold relevance today. Many modern political theorists have drawn on Aristotelian ideas of citizenship to develop their own theories of governance for modern states.
Aristotle’s emphasis on the virtues of ruling and being ruled is particularly relevant in today’s democracies. In democratic societies, citizens are expected to participate in the administration of justice and the holding of public office. This requires not only knowledge of the law and political processes but also a sense of civic duty and responsibility.
Additionally, Aristotle’s idea that citizenship is tied to the constitution of the city is still relevant today. Constitutional changes can alter the body of citizens, and it is important to ensure that those who are granted citizenship are justly qualified to hold that status.
Aristotle’s recognition that manual laborers are necessary to a city but may not necessarily qualify for citizenship is also relevant today. Many countries have debates about immigration policies and who should be granted citizenship. Aristotle’s ideas can provide a framework for thinking about these issues and ensuring that citizenship is granted fairly and justly.
Conclusion: Understanding Citizenship Through Aristotle’s Philosophy
Aristotle’s philosophy on citizenship provides a comprehensive understanding of what it means to be a citizen. He emphasizes that citizenship is not simply a matter of living in a city or having access to the courts of law. Rather, it involves sharing in the administration of justice and holding public office.
Aristotle’s definition of citizenship is not limited to individuals born to citizen parents. Instead, he suggests that citizenship can be justly granted to individuals who possess the virtues necessary for ruling and being ruled. Additionally, Aristotle highlights the importance of a city’s constitution in defining its citizens and raises questions about accountability and justice in granting citizenship.
Overall, Aristotle’s philosophy emphasizes the importance of active participation in civic life and the responsibilities that come with being a citizen. It provides a framework for understanding the complex relationship between individuals, government, and society as a whole.
