Aristotelian Classification of Constitution

ARISTOTELIAN CLASSIFICATION OF
CONSTITUTION
INTRODUCTION
Aristotle has classified the constitutions into two broad categories—correct or ideal
constitution, and deviant or perverted form of constitution
The constitutions which aim at the common interest or good of its citizens are called the
correct constitutions, and the constitutions in which the holders of power give priority to
private interests and want to hold office continuously are called deviant constitutions.
NUMBER OF CORRECT DEVIANT

RULERS
ONE RULER KINGSHIP TYRANNY
FEW RULERS ARISTOCRACY OLIGARCHY
MANY RULERS POLITY DEMOCRACY

CORRECT CONSTITUTIONS
Kingship:
When a single man is at the helm of the government and
looks to the common interest of the society, it is called
kingship.
A king looks after the interest of his subjects and the power of
the king is based on law.
The king exercises his power over his willing subjects.
Aristotle has distinguished four different types of kingships-
Spartan, barbarian, dictatorship, and absolute.
Aristocracy:
Aristocracy as defined by Aristotle is the rule of the few, the
morally and intellectually superior, governing in the interest
of all.
These few best men rule for the common interest of the
people.
They are generally virtuous, intellectual and tends to enjoy
both social and economic prestige.
Aristocracy confers benefits on the basis of merit, with the
result that those who most deserve to govern do, in fact,
govern.
Polity:
It is a constitution based on the middle class . It is the mean between the
extremes of oligarchy (rule by the rich) and democracy (rule by the poor). The
main advantage is that both common interest and virtue get priority.
Polity is identified with the middle class. The principle of middle class state is
a balance between two factors—quality and quantity. Quality includes the
political influences which arise from the prestige of wealth, birth, position and
education and quantity is the sheer weight of number.
If the first predominates, the government becomes an oligarchy; if the second
—a democracy. A combination of two factors is the only guarantee of stability.
Only a polity can effectuate a balance and, hence, stability.
A state ruled by the middle class can be most secure and can be the most law-
abiding of practicable constitutions. The best government is certainly to be
found in a state which is dominated by the middle class.
DEVIANT CONSTITUTIONS
Tyranny:
Tyranny is the oppressive rule of one person over a state.
The tyrant considers his personal gain over the interest of his
subjects.
A tyrant captures power by force and he has absolute power
without legal right.
The power of a tyrant is exercised over unwilling subjects.
Claims to be superior to law.
Oligarchy:
The rulers of oligarchy always give priority to private interest and, as a result
of it, common good is neglected.
Sometimes noble birth and education are regarded as features of oligarchy.
But it is on rare occasions.
Aristotle has described four different types of oligarchy. The first type of
oligarchy is based on property qualification but less restrictive.
For second type of oligarchy a high property qualification has been
recommended. In a sense, the rulers of the second form of oligarchy are richer
and, naturally, fewer.
The third type is narrower still and includes the further restriction that
membership of the governing class is hereditary.
Finally, officials and not law exercise the sovereign power. An oligarchy of
this type is sometimes called a ‘power group’.
Democracy:
• According to Aristotle, the foundation of democratic constitution is liberty.
Everyone will have the freedom to rule and is legally entitled to all privileges.
• Democratic principle is based on numerical justice, i.e., 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.
• He also discusses four different types of democracy. The first is moderate
democracy which will involve certain amount of property qualification.
• Secondly, all citizens, if not disqualified by birth, are eligible to hold office.
Here, no property qualification is recommended.
• Third form of democracy is, all citizens are eligible. But law is supreme.
• Finally, we find an extreme form of democracy. Here no restriction has been
suggested. Law is not sovereign, but people will exercise sovereign authority.
THANK YOU
References:
 Miller, Fred, ‘Aristotle's Political Theory’, The Stanford Encyclopedia of
Philosophy (Winter 2017 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.)
 www.politicalsciencenotes.com

Aristotelian Classification of Constitution

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ARISTOTELIAN CLASSIFICATION OF

NUMBER OF CORRECT DEVIANT

FEW RULERS ARISTOCRACY OLIGARCHY

MANY RULERS POLITY DEMOCRACY

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