Democracy Definition By Aristotle
Aristotle states that there are certain characteristics of a democracy and they are.
Democracy definition by aristotle. Aristotle one of the greatest philosophers of all time a teacher of world leader alexander the great and a prolific writer on a variety of subjects we might not think related to philosophy provides important information on ancient politics he distinguishes between good and bad forms of ruling in all the basic systems. A functioning state requires that everything is governed by laws. Aristotle s criticisms of democracy were often insightful and prescient. Aristotle and democracy1 1.
He criticizes harshly while borrowing extensively from. Aristotle s key objection to democracy was that it undermined the rule of law. For the real difference between democracy and oligarchy is poverty and wealth. His interest in biology seems to be expressed in the naturalism of his politics.
They are more relevant in the age of trump than ever. For the first time a democratic state system was implemented in ancient greece in athens under solon 7th century bc and developed by klisfen late 6th century bc in his representative government. Please understand that aristotle in his discussion on the forms of government was differentiating several types of government based on the number of people empowered by the system and whether the system was correct good or deviant bad. Wherever men rule by reason of their wealth whether they be few or many that is an oligarchy and where the poor rule that is a democracy.
Democracy from the greek is a form of state structure in which popular rule is exercised by the majority of the population in the interests of the majority and with the help of the majority. However he warns against two excesses of democracy in particular. Thus there are good and bad forms of the rule by one mon archy a few. Aristotle defends a scheme open to free citizens which of course excludes slaves and barbarians in which he is both a condition and purpose of democracy.
It is important to note that aristotle did not consider oligarchies and democracies as inherently bad. For aristotle democracy rests on the government of each by all and all for each in turn. Eligibility of all citizens for office offices that are chose by lot no repeat terms in office short terms of office a popular jury and a popular assembly with great authority.