Aristotle And Aristotle's Four Forms Of Government

Aristotle explains that there must be many forms of government because every state is composed of a unique combination of elements. He addresses the perspectives of other writers; Aristotle mentions Plato’s books in particular. Plato recognizes four principal forms of rule. These forms are monarchy, oligarchy, democracy, and aristocracy. In The Politics, Aristotle includes a fifth form of government. This form is termed polity, or constitutional government. Although it is uncommon and is not universally recognized, Aristotle believes it is worthy of consideration. For Aristotle, analyzing these five forms of government supports his belief that, in general, there are two predominant forms of government. The two forms he describes are democracy …show more content…
He explains, however, that every ruling class is, at its foundation, a democracy or an oligarchy. He believes that aristocracy, or government by the best, is inclined toward oligarchy. In addition, he explains how monarchy can develop out of an oligarchy where succession is hereditary. He describes these forms of government with a reasonable degree of objectivity, focusing on the connections between them. Aristotle explains his ideal form of government, polity, as a combination of elements from both democracy and oligarchy. He states that the term “polity” is usually used referring to more democratic forms of government. In The Politics, Aristotle gives fair consideration to each of the principal forms of government. He explains, using examples, reasoning, and comparison, his view that, like the wind, government has two dominating forms from which all others …show more content…
While true equality may be unachievable, it is an important virtue and a strong core around which a thriving system of government can be fair and efficient. When The Politics was written, equality had a limited place in government. In a state such as Athens, where slavery was not uncommon and women’s rights were extremely constrained, equality was a complicated idea. In Aristotle’s time, equality was emphasized in government mainly to buffer the antagonism between the rich and the poor, ensuring that one could not gain superiority over the other. Equality has always been important in democracy, but it was not as essential in Athens as it is in the world