Aristotle discusses different forms of government in his book Politics. He identifies three main forms - monarchy, aristocracy, and constitutional government. For each form there is a perversion - tyranny, oligarchy, and democracy respectively. Aristotle argues the ideal form of government is a mix of the three main forms that serves the common good of all citizens, not just the interests of the ruler, wealthy, or poor. He also discusses different systems of government used in ancient city-states like Sparta, Crete, and Carthage.

1. Aristotle,
Politics
STAATSLEHRE PRÄSENTATION // 22.10.2014

2. CONTENTS
ABOUT
the book
POLITICS
relevant notes

3. INTRODUCTION
Aristotle tutors a young
Alexander
Macedonia, year 343-335

4. STATE – A CREATION OF NATURE

5. STATE – A CREATION OF NATURE
‘First house and wife and an ox for the plough’
for the ox is the poor man’s slave.
The family is the association established by nature
for the supply of men’s everyday wants, . . . (p27).

6. ‘First house and wife and an ox for the plough’
for the ox is the poor man’s slave.
The family is the association established by nature
for the supply of men’s everyday wants, . . . (p27).
And the most natural form of the village
appears to be that of a colony from the family.
Every family is ruled by the eldest, and therefore in the
colonies of the family the kingly form of government pre-vailed
because they were of the same blood (p27).
STATE – A CREATION OF NATURE

7. SLAVERY

8. SLAVERY
Slavery – Is it also Natural?
For that some should rule and others be ruled is a thing,
not only necessary but expedient; from the hour of their
birth, some are marked out for subjection, others for rule
(p32).

9. SLAVERY
Slavery – Is it also Natural?
For that some should rule and others be ruled is a thing,
not only necessary but expedient; from the hour of their
birth, some are marked out for subjection, others for rule
(p32).
Slavery – Necessary and Justified
The work is better which is executed by better workmen; .
. . (p32-33).
. . . the male is by nature superior, and the female inferior;
and the one rules, and the other is ruled; this principle, of
necessity, extends to all mankind (p34).

10. the form of
government

11. Some, indeed, say that the best constitution
is a combination of all existing forms,
THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT

12. Some, indeed, say that the best constitution
is a combination of all existing forms,
and they praise the Lacedaemonian because it made up
of oligarchy, monarchy, democracy,
the king forming the monarchy, and the council of
elders the oligarchy, while the democratic element is
represented by the Ephors; for the Ephors are selected
from the people (p70-71).
THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT

13. SPARTA

14. MAP OF ANCIENT GREECE

15. SPARTA – INEQUALITY OF PROPERTY
Nearly two-fifths of the country are held by
women;
this is owing to the number of heiresses and to the large
dowries which are customary (p84-85).

16. SPARTA – INEQUALITY OF PROPERTY
Nearly two-fifths of the country are held by
women;
this is owing to the number of heiresses and to the large
dowries which are customary (p84-85).
Hence, although the country is able to maintain
1,500 cavalry and 30,000 hoplites,
the whole number of Spartan citizens [at the time of the
Theban invasion] fell below 1,000. The result proves the
faulty nature of their laws respecting property; for the city
sank under a single defeat; . . . (p84-85).

17. CRETE

18. Crete resembles Lacedaemon, yet different
. . . the office of the Ephors is the same as that of the
Cretan Cosmi, the only difference being that whereas
the Ephors are five, the Cosmi are ten in number.
But the common meals are better managed . . . so that
men, women, and children are all supported out of a
common stock (p90).
CRETE

19. MAP OF ANCIENT GREECE

20. CARTHAGE

21. Carthaginian institutions are excellent
. . . it has been lasting, the Carthaginians never had any
rebellions worth speaking of, and have never been under
the rule of a tyrant (p92).
CARTHAGE – A PLUTOCRACY

22. Carthaginian institutions are excellent
. . . it has been lasting, the Carthaginians never had any
rebellions worth speaking of, and have never been under
the rule of a tyrant (p92).
CARTHAGE – A PLUTOCRACY
. . . whereas the Ephors are any chance persons, . . .
the [104] magistrates of the Carthaginians are elected according to merit –
this is an improvement (p92).

23. CARTHAGE – A PLUTOCRACY
If, then, election of magistrates for their wealth be
characteristic of oligarchy, and election for merit of
aristocracy,
there will be a third form under which the constitution of Carthage
is comprehended; for the Carthaginians choose their magistrates,
and particularly the highest of them – their kings and generals –
with an eye both to merit and to wealth (p94).

24. ROMAN EMPIRE 100 AD

25. true
the form of
government

26. THE TRUE FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
Royalty, Aristocracy, and Constitution
Of the above-mentioned forms, the perversions are as
follows: of royalty, tyranny; of aristocracy, oligarchy; of
constitutional government, democracy (p115).

27. THE TRUE FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
Royalty, Aristocracy, and Constitution
Of the above-mentioned forms, the perversions are as
follows: of royalty, tyranny; of aristocracy, oligarchy; of
constitutional government, democracy (p115).
Government, True and Perverted
For tyranny is a kind of monarchy which has in view the interest of the
monarch only; oligarchy has in view the interest of the wealthy; democracy,
of the needy: none of them the common good of all (p115).

28. GOVERNMENT – TWO PRINCIPAL FORMS
DEMOCRACY
1.
OLIGARCHY
2.

29. GOVERNMENT – MIXED CONSTITUTIONS
DEMOCRACY
1.
OLIGARCHY
2.
CONSTITUTIONAL
GOVERNMENT
1. + 2. = 3.

30. ARISTOCRACY – GOVERNMENT OF THE BEST
DEMOCRACY
OLIGARCHY
CONSTITUTIONAL
GOVERNMENT
ARISTOCRACY
1. + 2. + 3.
= 4.
1.
2.
1. + 2. = 3.

31. THE RULE OF THE MIDDLE CLASS

32. THE RULE OF THE MIDDLE CLASS
And this is the class of citizens which is most secure in a state,
for they do not, like the poor, covet their neighbours’ goods; nor do others
covet theirs, as the poor covet the goods of the rich; and as they neither plot
against others, nor are themselves plotted against, they pass through life
safely (p169).

33. GOVERNMENT – TWO PRINCIPAL FORMS
DEMOCRACY
1.
OLIGARCHY
2.
the poor rules the rich rules
majority and freedom minority and wealth
everywhere equality everywhere inequality

34. GOVERNMENT – MIXED CONSTITUTIONS
DEMOCRACY
1.
OLIGARCHY
2.
CONSTITUTIONAL
GOVERNMENT
1. + 2. = 3.

35. THANK
YOU
FOR
LISTENING!