Aristotle’s Constitutions

Aristotle has classified the constitutions into two broad categories—right or ideal constitution or
government, and wrong or perverted form of government. The constitutions which aim at the
common interest or good are called the ideal or right constitutions. But there are many constitutions
in which the holders of power give priority to private interests and want to hold office
continuously. These constitutions are called perverted or wrong constitutions.

Aristotle has further subdivided each category of constitution into three forms. Thus the normal or
right or ideal form of government or constitution has three subdivisions. When a single man is at
the helm of the government and looks to the common interest of the society, it is called kingship.
If few persons run the government with the same objective it is to be called aristocracy. Sometimes
it is found that people at large govern the state and the purpose is common interest—it comes to
be called polity.

When the administration is conducted for the sole benefit of the ruler the government is perverted.
The corresponding forms are one-man rule—tyranny, rule of few—oligarchy, and the rule of many
is democracy.

Kingship and Tyranny

According to Aristotle, both kingship and tyranny are rule of one and in spite of this basic similarity
there is difference between the two: a king looks after the interest of his subjects and the tyrant
considers his personal gain. But other differences are: a tyrant captures power by force, but the
power of the king is based on law. Tyrant’s power is exercised over the unwilling subjects. But
people of the king are willing subjects.

Aristocracy

Aristocracy as defined by Aristotle is the rule of the few best men. These few best men rule for the
common interest of the people. They are generally virtuous and the virtues of good men and good
citizens are identical.

Oligarchy

Oligarchy is one of the perverted forms of government. The rulers of oligarchy always give priority
to private interest and, as a result of it, common good is neglected. Another feature of oligarchy
stated by him is that only the wealthy persons dominate the politics as well as administration of
the state. Sometimes noble birth and education are regarded as features of oligarchy. But it is on
rare occasions.

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Democracy

In the perverted form of government there are three types and democracy is one of them. Both
Plato and Aristotle did not see this form of government with favour. Both of them saw the
degrading features of this form of constitution.

According to Aristotle, the foundation of democratic constitution is liberty. Everyone will have
the freedom to rule and is legally entitled to all privileges. There is another principle. Democratic
principle is based on numerical justice. That is, the decision of the majority is final and to accept
it is justice and its denial is injustice. To put it in other words, in democracy, people are sovereign.

Polity: The Best Practicable State

Aristotle has analyzed in detail the different aspects of oligarchy and democracy and this has
enabled him to construct a state which would be both ideal and practicable. This is polity. Aristotle
has described the nature of polity. It is a mixture of oligarchy and democracy. When the polity is
a combination of oligarchy and democracy it has certain advantages.

The main advantage is that both common interest and virtue get priority. Because of this
characteristic Aristotle has called it an ideal or right type of constitution. In his opinion every polity
will have a popular assembly, but its powers will be limited.

The appointment of officers will be based on both oligarchic and democratic methods; judicial
functions are to be performed by juries.

Polity is also identified with the middle class. Polity as a form of government has both ethical and
social foundations. Virtue is a mean, the middle of the two extremes. Happiness of life is possible
only if the mean is achieved. Best life must always be the middle way.

The social foundation of polity is the existence of a large number of people constituting the middle
class. These men are neither poor nor rich. The city or polis possessing the largest number of
middle class people is the best administered polis.

Only a polity can effectuate a balance and, hence, stability. A state ruled by the middle class can
be most secure.

He thinks that for the stability of a state both quality and quantity count very much. Aristotle
believes in the collective wisdom of a sober public opinion and there is less possibility of being
corrupted. At the same time men of position, experience and education are required for good
administration.