Aristotle's Politics
According to Aristotle, the basic principle of democracy freedom. Democracy is a political system where in there is an establishment of a partnership amid the demos or the common people which in turn makes out how would the power be distributed and authority be delegated within a city. Thus, democracy, by Aristotle, is a type of freedom. This freedom has two aspects according to Aristotle, the first "being ruled and ruling in turn," while the other aspect involves the freedom of the citizens to live as they please. The first aspect is regarded as "law." Nevertheless, both these aspects of freedom, or the essentiality of democracy are essential for a true democracy to operate and function smoothly ensuring freedom. In this paper, we are going to argue that both these types of freedom or liberties as explained by Aristotle are essential for a true democracy and that without any one aspect of freedom, the democracy would not be a political system.
Aristotle discussed many forms of democracies in his Politics and has given a range of political system. However, he warns against a political system where there is no law. Such a political system would not be termed as democracy. Even he considers establishment of monarch as a system of democracy, but in the sense that "many have authority not as individuals but all together." This authority is the authority that comes by mandate, that is by majority, but if viewed in a different sense, and if not considered a monarchy as a democratic political system because it does not support authority of the majority over the law, then in that case a "democracy of this sort is not a political system. For where the laws do not rule there is no political system."
In view of Aristotle a man is free not because he is a part of a free society, but because he is a person that has certain characteristics that let him to lead a responsible and happy life. According to Aristotle, these characteristics are the result of an extended course of action of necessary guidance. However, such an obligation can...
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