2. Introduction
• Political thinkers generally do not consider
any difference between the terms 'state' and
'government'. They use both the terms in the
same sense while classification. But, modern
authors have the different opinion on this
type of classification. According to them,
there cannot be any classification of states,
as all the states are equal in so much as the
four attributes- population, territory,
sovereignty, and government - are essential
for all the states.
3. Criteria/Basis Of Classification:
• Aristotle classified the governments on
following two bases:
• 1. Quantitative: the number of (people)
those in whom the sovereign power was
vested:
• 2. Qualitative: the end or purpose towards
which the power was directed (self benefits).
4. • Aristotle was of the view that when the
head of the state aimed at the good of
the community, the state would be a
pure form of state, but when the rulers
in that state became selfish and use
the power for his own benefits, the
state would be called a perverted
number.
5. The number of
Rulers
Pure Govt. (seeks
the common
welfare)
Perverted Govt.
(ignores the
common welfare)
One Monarchy Tyranny
Two Aristocracy Oligarchy
Three Polity Democracy
6. • According to Aristotle, pure monarchy or royalty
is government by the One in the interest of all.
When it degenerates into a selfish rule of One, it
becomes a tyranny. When a few rule for the
common good of all, it is aristocracy, but when
they start ruling in their own self-interest, it is
perverted into the oligarchy. The rule by many
for the sake of everyone, Aristotle calls it as
polity or mild democracy but when they rule
with a view to promote their own class interest,
it becomes democracy or Ochlocracy (mob rule).
7. • Aristotle uses the term 'Polity' where the
modern world prefers 'Democracy'. His
'democracy' is today's mob rule. An equivalent
to Aristotle's Polity would be 'Constitutional
Democracy', which may be defined as the
unselfish rule of many for the common
welfare.
8. Comparison with Platonic Classification:
• There are three version in his first classification
1. This is the state of perfect knowledge, where the real
sovereign is knowledge, governed by a philosopher
king. There is no place for law in this type of
government as the king is endowed with all types of
knowledge and he rules with wisdom and justice. It
was just an imaginary ideal state which never existed
anywhere.
9. 2. State of imperfect knowledge, where
people respected laws because there was
lack of a philosopher king and imperfection
led to the requirement of the direction of
laws.
3. States where is lack of knowledge.
These are the state of ignorance. Laws
existed there but were never followed. It
was a kind of the state of fools.
10. 2nd classification is a step forward of his previous
classification:
• Gilchrist represents that as follows:
No. of rulers States in which law is
obeyed
State in which law is
not obeyed
Rule by One Monarchy Tyranny
Rule by Few Aristocracy Oligarchy
