Topic > Analysis of Plato's Republic and Politics - 1770

Describing citizens as the key people of the city, Aristotle defines citizens as those who are different from slaves and outside residents; however, it describes that the citizen “has the right to participate in deliberative or judicial office” (III.1.1275b18-21). He says citizens are more directly involved in government. Aristotle describes this city-state as a plethora of citizens destined for personal fulfillment. Both despotic and paternal and marital rule mentioned by Aristotle refer to political rule, where the ruler and his citizens have equal rights, nothing more or less. All citizens, who are equal, take turns governing for the benefit of another, creating a balance in the power of society. Aristotle supports his constitutional theory according to which “constitutions which aim at the common advantage are correct and just without reservation, while those which aim only at the advantage of the rulers are deviant and unjust, because they involve a despotic government inappropriate for a community of free citizens ”. people” (III.1.1279a17–21). Aristotle describes six constitutional forms: kingship, tyranny, aristocracy, oligarchy, political system, and democracy; however he maintains that oligarchy and democracy are the best forms of government. In contrast, in Aristotle's first-best constitution, every citizen will have the moral property of caring, having social responsibility, in order to achieve success and satisfaction (VII.13.1332a32–8). Citizens will be able to hold official positions in the public arena and own property because “we must say the city-state is happy not by looking at a part of it but at all citizens” (VII.9.1329a22–3). If citizens are not happy with the way they live,