In the world of politics, the question of who should rule has been a topic of debate for centuries. Aristotle, one of the most influential philosophers in history, had his own ideas on the matter.
He believed that there were six general ways in which societies could be organized under political rule, and that the true forms of government were those in which the rulers governed with a view to the common interest.
In this article, we will explore Aristotle’s thoughts on who should rule and why, and how his ideas still hold relevance in modern times.
So sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the world of political philosophy with Aristotle as our guide.
Who Should Rule According To Aristotle
Aristotle believed that the best form of government was aristocracy, which he defined as “the rule of the best.” This type of government values everyone’s interests and confers benefits on the basis of merit. Those who most deserve to govern are the ones who actually govern.
Aristotle contrasted aristocracy with oligarchy, democracy, and politeia. Oligarchy concerns itself only with questions of wealth, while democracy concerns itself only with the interests of the needy. Politeia, or constitutional government, is a mixture of oligarchy and democracy.
Aristotle argued that the true forms of government were those in which the rulers governed with a view to the common interest. These forms of government were monarchy, aristocracy, and polity. Monarchy is rule by one person, aristocracy is rule by a few, and polity is rule by many.
However, Aristotle also recognized that these true forms of government could be perverted into their defective and perverted forms. For example, tyranny is a kind of monarchy that has in view the interest of the monarch only. Oligarchy has in view the interest of the wealthy, while democracy has in view the interest of the needy.
Aristotle believed that oligarchies and democracies were the most common forms of government. Although they govern in the interest of those who hold power, they are capable of producing livable societies. However, he also aimed to demonstrate that there are better ways to govern.
These better systems are reliant on a quality of character in leadership that is uncommon. Therefore, for him there was no clear cut best system: “None of the principles on which men claim to rule, and hold other men in subjection to them, are strictly right.”
Aristotle’s Six Forms Of Government
Aristotle identified six forms of government, which he classified into two categories: true forms and defective forms. The true forms of government are those in which the rulers govern with a view to the common interest, while the defective forms are those in which the rulers govern with a view to their own interests.
The first true form of government is monarchy, which is rule by one person. In a monarchy, the ruler governs with a view to the common interest. However, if the monarch governs with a view to their own interests, it becomes a tyranny.
The second true form of government is aristocracy, which is rule by a few. In an aristocracy, the rulers are virtuous and govern with a view to the common interest. However, if the rulers govern with a view to their own interests, it becomes an oligarchy.
The third true form of government is polity, which is rule by many. In a polity, the rulers are chosen from among the people and govern with a view to the common interest. However, if the rulers govern with a view to their own interests, it becomes a democracy.
The defective forms of government are those in which the rulers govern with a view to their own interests. Tyranny is a kind of monarchy that has in view the interest of the monarch only. Oligarchy has in view the interest of the wealthy, while democracy has in view the interest of the needy.
Aristotle believed that oligarchies and democracies were the most common forms of government. Although they govern in the interest of those who hold power, they are capable of producing livable societies. However, he also aimed to demonstrate that there are better ways to govern. These better systems are reliant on a quality of character in leadership that is uncommon. Therefore, for him there was no clear cut best system: “None of the principles on which men claim to rule, and hold other men in subjection to them, are strictly right.”
The True Forms Of Government
According to Aristotle, the true forms of government are monarchy, aristocracy, and polity. Monarchy is rule by one person who governs with a view to the common interest. Aristocracy is rule by a few who are virtuous and govern in the common interest. Polity is a mixture of oligarchy and democracy, in which elected offices are incorporated from oligarchy and offices without assessment from democracy.
Aristotle believed that these true forms of government were correct regimes because they looked to the common advantage. In contrast, he considered tyranny, oligarchy, and democracy to be errant regimes because they looked only to the advantage of the rulers or a specific group.
Monarchies work only when rulers make decisions based on what is for the greater good, such as increasing wealth for all citizens through job creation or increased trade. Aristocracies value everyone’s interests and confers benefits on the basis of merit. Polities combine elements from both oligarchy and democracy and aim to balance the interests of both the wealthy and the needy.
While these true forms of government can be perverted into their defective and perverted forms, Aristotle argued that they are capable of producing livable societies. However, he also aimed to demonstrate that there are better ways to govern, which are reliant on a quality of character in leadership that is uncommon. Therefore, for him there was no clear cut best system.
The Common Interest
According to Aristotle, the common interest should be the primary concern of those who govern. This means that rulers should prioritize the well-being of all citizens, rather than just a select few. Aristotle believed that aristocracy was the best form of government because it values everyone’s interests and confers benefits based on merit. In an aristocracy, those who most deserve to govern are the ones who actually govern.
Aristotle also recognized that other true forms of government, such as monarchy and polity, could serve the common interest if they were limited by law and governed with a view to the common good. However, when rulers prioritize their own interests over the common interest, they pervert these true forms of government into their defective and perverted forms.
Tyranny, oligarchy, and democracy are examples of these defective and perverted forms of government. They prioritize the interests of the monarch, wealthy, or needy respectively, rather than the common interest. While they are capable of producing livable societies, they do not prioritize the well-being of all citizens in the same way that aristocracy does.
Applying Aristotle’s Ideas To Modern Politics
Applying Aristotle’s ideas to modern politics can be a complex task, given the vast differences between modern political systems and those of ancient Greece. However, there are some key insights from Aristotle that can still be valuable today.
Firstly, Aristotle’s emphasis on the importance of merit in government is particularly relevant in the modern era. Many modern democracies have struggled with issues of corruption and cronyism, and there is often a sense that politicians are more concerned with their own interests than those of the people they are meant to serve. Adopting a more Aristotelian approach, in which leaders are chosen based on their abilities and character rather than their wealth or connections, could help to address these issues.
Secondly, Aristotle’s focus on the importance of the rule of law is also highly relevant today. In many parts of the world, there are concerns about the erosion of democratic norms and institutions, as leaders seek to consolidate power and undermine the independence of the judiciary and other key institutions. By emphasizing the importance of the rule of law as a check on the power of the majority, Aristotle’s ideas can help to guide efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and protect against abuses of power.
Finally, Aristotle’s recognition that even the best forms of government can be perverted into their defective forms is a sobering reminder that there are no easy answers when it comes to questions of governance. While there may be no perfect system, Aristotle’s ideas can help us to think more deeply about what we value in our political systems and what we can do to promote those values in practice.
Criticisms Of Aristotle’s Theory On Ruling
Despite Aristotle’s extensive research and insightful analysis of various forms of government, his theory on ruling has been criticized by many scholars.
One of the main criticisms of Aristotle’s theory is that it is elitist and exclusionary. Aristotle believed that the best form of government was aristocracy, which values merit and the rule of the best. However, this definition of “the best” is subjective and can easily exclude certain groups of people from participating in government. This can lead to a system that favors a certain class or group of individuals, rather than the common good.
Another criticism of Aristotle’s theory is that it does not account for the changing nature of society. Aristotle lived in a time when states were comparatively smaller than they are today, and thus his theory may not be applicable to modern societies. Moreover, his theory does not account for the effects of globalization, technological advancements, and other factors that have changed the way we live and govern.
Finally, some critics argue that Aristotle’s theory is too idealistic and does not take into account the realities of human nature. While Aristotle believed that the best rulers were those who had a virtuous character, it is difficult to find leaders who possess all the virtues he deemed necessary for effective governance. This can lead to a situation where leaders who lack certain virtues are still able to attain power and govern poorly.
Despite these criticisms, Aristotle’s theory on ruling remains an important contribution to political philosophy. It continues to inspire scholars and policymakers to think critically about different forms of government and how they can best serve the common good.
