Summary
Aristotle's *Politics* argues that the best constitutions, both ideally and in specific circumstances, can be established through a systematic analysis of over 150 city constitutions. This work, considered the first systematic treatise on the science of politics, examines a broad spectrum of political issues to determine their nature and how they can be maintained. Aristotle's opinions provide essential background for later philosophers, and his premises and arguments remain relevant to contemporary society.
By studying various governmental structures, Aristotle aims to identify optimal forms of rule and the conditions for their stability. The book's thorough and carefully argued analysis offers insights into political science that have shaped Western thought for centuries and continue to provoke consideration of political questions today.
Key concepts
- Science of politics — The systematic study and analysis of political phenomena.
- City constitutions — The organizational structures and governing principles of different city-states.
- Types of constitution — Classification of governmental forms based on their structure and goals.
- Maintenance of constitutions — Methods and conditions necessary for preserving existing forms of government.
From the book
Description: Politics Aristotle - One of the fundamental works of Western political thought, Aristotles masterwork is the first systematic treatise on the science of politics. For almost three decades, Carnes Lords justly acclaimed translation has served as the standard English edition. Widely regarded as the most faithful to both the original Greek and Aristotles distinctive style, it is also written in clear, contemporary English.Twenty-three centuries after its compilation, 'The Politics' still has much to contribute to this central question of political science. Aristotle's thorough and carefully argued analysis is based on a study of over 150 city constitutions, covering a huge range of political issues in order to establish which types of constitution are best - both ideally and in…
Snippet: Politics Aristotle - One of the fundamental works of Western political thought, Aristotles masterwork is the first systematic treatise on the science of politics.