Democracy is a deviant constitution where the virtuous few turn out worse than the many when they come together even though the virtuous have the upper hand in individuality. A wise individual could be overruled by the many who combine their virtue and wisdom (Miller 2012). Aristotle’s view on democracy was that it was a subjective form of a constitutional government. A constitutional government was one where the ‘many’ ruled; however democracy was the contorted view. “The Athenian system differed from a modern representative democracy in that the citizens were more directly involved in governing” (Miller 2012). Aristotle’s democracy was one where the citizens played a huge role when it came to governing the city-state. The reason there was
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Aristotle talks in great length about the requirements of being a citizen. Even though not all citizens thought the same, they had one main concern, and that was the safety of society. When the society was safe, so was the constitution; which lead to a productive democracy (Robinson 1995, 156). An approved citizen is one whom has the power to rule, but also the ability to obey the laws. The democratic society in Aristotle’s time was one with superiors (elites), citizens, poor (slaves); however over all they each add something to the democratic society even though there is inequality in their lives. The citizens are those whom took part in the democratic society when it came to the government, and they all attempted to become “good citizens.” “The political good is justice, and that is the common advantage” (Robinson 1995, 226-227). Justice relates to equality, and in Aristotle’s democracy the citizens had more say in government decisions. Finally, in Aristotle’s democracy all citizens have equal free rights because they are equal at birth which lead to citizens whom fully and willingly participated in government; and this is how Aristotle’s version of democracy was designed. In closing, Aristotelian democracy was based on citizen participation and equality, fear of the demagogues, and the constitutional honor that follows a democracy. Overall Aristotle’s form of democracy was one that was run by the people, which
Aristotle talks in great length about the requirements of being a citizen. Even though not all citizens thought the same, they had one main concern, and that was the safety of society. When the society was safe, so was the constitution; which lead to a productive democracy (Robinson 1995, 156). An approved citizen is one whom has the power to rule, but also the ability to obey the laws. The democratic society in Aristotle’s time was one with superiors (elites), citizens, poor (slaves); however over all they each add something to the democratic society even though there is inequality in their lives. The citizens are those whom took part in the democratic society when it came to the government, and they all attempted to become “good citizens.” “The political good is justice, and that is the common advantage” (Robinson 1995, 226-227). Justice relates to equality, and in Aristotle’s democracy the citizens had more say in government decisions. Finally, in Aristotle’s democracy all citizens have equal free rights because they are equal at birth which lead to citizens whom fully and willingly participated in government; and this is how Aristotle’s version of democracy was designed. In closing, Aristotelian democracy was based on citizen participation and equality, fear of the demagogues, and the constitutional honor that follows a democracy. Overall Aristotle’s form of democracy was one that was run by the people, which