BOOK 4 Chapter 13 The Devices for Regimes

Chapter 13

I. Introduction: Five Devices Used in Oligarchic Regimes

1. The five devices to limit popular participation:
   • Aristotle identifies five primary devices used in oligarchic regimes to create pretexts for limiting the influence of the people in governance. These devices affect:
     1. The assembly.
     2. The offices.
     3. The courts.
     4. Armament.
     5. Exercise (military training).
2. Examples of oligarchic practices:
   • In the assembly: The assembly is open to all, but the well-off are fined for not attending, or fined more heavily than the poor.
   • In holding office: The wealthy are not allowed to abjure office, while the poor may decline without penalty.
   • In the courts: The well-off are fined for not attending, while the poor face no fines or smaller ones, as seen in the laws of Charondas.

II. Further Oligarchic Practices in Legislation

1. Assembly and courts enrollment:
   • In some places, it is open to all to enroll for the assembly or courts, but those who do not attend after enrolling are fined heavily. This discourages enrollment and participation.
2. Armament and military training:
   • Military service rules are manipulated: The poor are not required to possess arms, but the wealthy are fined if they fail to arm themselves or fail to exercise.
   • This results in the wealthy being compelled to participate in military duties, while the poor avoid participation without fear of penalty.

III. Counterdevices in Democratic Regimes

1. Pay for participation in democratic regimes:
   • In democratic regimes, counterdevices are implemented to encourage popular participation:
     • The poor are given pay for attending the assembly and serving in the courts.
     • The wealthy are not fined for failing to attend, unlike in oligarchies.
2. Creating a just mixture:
   • A just regime would combine elements from both systems. For example:
     • The poor would receive pay for attending.
     • The wealthy would face fines for not attending.
   • This balance ensures universal participation, unlike systems where participation is skewed toward one group.

IV. The Role of Armament in the Regime

1. A regime based on those bearing arms:
   • Aristotle advocates for a regime composed of citizens bearing heavy arms (i.e., a regime of those capable of defending the city militarily).
   • However, the size of the property assessment required for participation should be based on the largest amount that still allows the majority to participate.
2. Stability through moderation:
   • The poor will remain content and not seek political power, provided they are treated justly (i.e., not deprived of property or treated arrogantly by the wealthy).
   • But it is challenging to ensure that those in power will always behave moderately and not exploit the poor.
3. Military service and financial support:
   • In times of war, the poor may avoid service unless they are provided with sustenance (financial support). If they receive it, they are willing to serve.

V. Regimes Based on Military Service in History

1. Historical examples of regimes based on warriors:
   • Some regimes included not only those who currently bear arms but also those who had previously done so. Example: Among the Malians, the regime included both active soldiers and veterans, although offices were only open to active soldiers.
2. Transition from cavalry to infantry:
   • The first regimes after kingships in Greece were composed of warrior elements, initially dominated by cavalrymen due to their military strength.
   • Early armies lacked organization, and strength in war rested primarily on cavalry. As cities grew and heavy-armed infantry gained strength, more people began participating in the regime.
   • As a result, early regimes once called regimes (politeiai) became democracies as participation expanded.

VI. Why Ancient Regimes Were Oligarchic and Monarchic

1. Limited middling class in early regimes:
   • The ancient regimes were primarily oligarchic and kingly due to the small size of cities and the lack of a middling class.
   • The people accepted being ruled because they lacked strength and organization, which led to oligarchic or monarchic rule.

VII. Conclusion: Diversity of Regimes and Best Regime for Different Cities

1. Different types of regimes:
   • Aristotle explains why there are multiple types of regimes, beyond just the common categories (democracy and oligarchy).
   • Democracy is not singular, nor is oligarchy; each has varieties based on the composition of the population and their particular strengths.
2. Best regime for most cases:
   • The best regime for most cities is the one that suits the city’s population and circumstances. The best regime overall has already been identified, but the suitability of different regimes depends on each city’s particular needs.

Summary of Key Themes:

• Oligarchic devices: Oligarchic regimes use five devices to restrict the influence of the poor in the assembly, offices, courts, armament, and exercise.
• Democratic counterdevices: Democracies respond by offering pay for popular participation, ensuring more inclusive governance.
• The role of the middling class: A stable regime includes a strong middling class and relies on the citizens bearing arms for military defense.
• Military service and regime evolution: Historical regimes were based on military service, transitioning from cavalry-dominated regimes to those with greater participation by heavy-armed infantry.
• Why early regimes were oligarchic: Early Greek regimes were oligarchic and kingly due to the lack of a strong middling class and the weak organization of the people.
• Diversity of regimes: There are different types of regimes, each suited to the unique conditions of different cities, which explains the variety of political systems throughout history.

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