Aristotle, Plato, and Thucydides: philosophical and historical perspectives

¶ … theorists regarding political stability, the ideas and opinions of Aristotle, Plato, and Thucydides will be mentioned by thoroughly analyzing the viewpoints of these theorists in their books such as: Aristotle's "The Politics" And "Nicomachean Ethics," Plato's "The Republic," and Thucydides "The

Peloponnesian War." The analysis and observations of the viewpoints of these theorists will be included in the paper. The question on which the analysis will be based is as under:

What is the key to political stability, according to Aristotle? Why? Compare Plato or Thucydides' answers to this question.

Political stability is one of the most difficult problem on which many attempts have been made by the government to gain a stable political system so that the people living in the country can have an independent and free life. History and researches show that despite of many attempts the leaders have failed to maintain stable and under controlled political environment in the countries. The views and opinions of these theorists are presented in the paper so as to provide the factors, which can be implemented by the government authorities in order to attain peaceful climate and to maintain political stability in the country.

According to Aristotle political stability can be attained by including the opinions and views of the people in general because according to Aristotle's point-of-view if a government makes related decisions without the interference of the public than such type of government is based on evil values. Hence, the political stability is not attained because of such attitude of the government authorities. Therefore, to maintain a stable political environment the government should involve the ideas and views of the people living in the country. The decisions should be made on the basis of their opinions so that both parties can attain a peaceful climate with in the country. The government's motives should be fair while making decisions for the people of the state and these authorities should serve the people rather than achieving self-motives. According To Aristotle such an attitude will help the government to maintain political stability with in the country. "Nicomachean Ethics" also describes this concept of political stability and in this book Aristotle has given special importance to the factors, which can generate peace and harmony. Aristotle states that good virtues and good deeds of the government and the authorities would definitely generate political stability and peace in the country.

COMPARISON AND CONTRAST OF THUCYDIDE'S AND PLATO'S VIEWS:

According to Plato maintenance of a friendly relationship between the government and the people can attain political stability. According to his views political stability can be maintained if both the parties would be friendly and cooperative with each other because such an attitude will remove all the negativity factors and will eventual serve as a tool to maintain political stability in the country.

Thucydide has always given great importance to the maintenance of a stable political environment according to him, political stability can be attained if the powerful rulers and strong strategies of leadership will put into action. According to Thucydides political stability is the key to prosperity for the state on the whole. Thucydide has urged on the point that mutual cooperation and harmony should be maintained between the government and the people, alongwith this factor the political leaders should also apply strategies which could help them to maintain peaceful and friendly environment.