Politics by Aristotle

Note: Not recommended straight after The Prince unless you’re extra scholarly. The title explains most but I’ll break down the 8 books anyway.

Book I – Origin of state, slavery, household economics, natural and unnatural modes of acquiring goods.

Book II – Criticism on Plato’s Republic and other constitutions.

Book III – Who is a Citizen?, Classification of constitutions, Just distribution of political power, Types of monarchies.

Book IV – Tasks of political theory, Why are they many types of constitutions, Types of oligarchies and democracies, Polity as the optimal constitution, Government offices.

Book V – Constitutional change, Revolutions and ways to preserve constitutions, Instability of tyrannies.

Book VI – Democratic and oligarchic constitutions.

Book VII – Best state and life, Ideal state – its population, position, territory, etc. Citizens of this Ideal state, Marriage and children.

Book VIII – Education in the ideal state. Which I love coz it was the end and he mentions music as priority. In fact it was good to read how it prioritises necessities for a state. First being food, second arts, third arms, 4th – revenue for needs and war, 5th – religion or worship, 6th – but most important is the power of deciding what’s is to be assigned for the public interest and individual interest. Big up Will Smith for the recommendation.

Politics by Aristotle | Summary

Aristotle’s Politics

The Politics of Aristotle (video lecture)