BOOK 4 Chapter 5 Oligarchy

Chapter 5

1. Varieties of Oligarchy

• First Type: Property-Based Office:
  • The first form of oligarchy is where offices are filled based on property assessments that are high enough to exclude the poor majority from participating in the regime.
  • Wealth becomes the deciding factor in holding office, with those who meet the financial threshold being eligible, regardless of their other qualities.
• Second Type: Large Assessments and Exclusive Elections:
  • In the second type, offices are filled based on larger property assessments, and officeholders elect their own successors.
  • If officials are selected from the general pool of eligible citizens, the system leans toward aristocracy (rule by the best), but if only a select group of wealthy individuals are eligible for election, it becomes a more exclusive oligarchy.
• Third Type: Hereditary Oligarchy:
  • In this form of oligarchy, sons succeed their fathers in office, leading to a hereditary concentration of power within certain families.
  • This type of regime restricts political participation to a specific lineage, further consolidating power among the elite.
• Fourth Type: Rule of the Powerful:
  • The fourth type is the most extreme form of oligarchy, where officials rule without the law and their authority is unchecked.
  • This is the oligarchic counterpart to tyranny in monarchies and the most extreme form of democracy Aristotle described earlier, where decrees replace laws. This is called the "rule of the powerful" and represents the ultimate form of oligarchic domination.
  • Aristotle employs the Ancient Greek term δυναστεία (dunasteía), which translates to "lordship" or "dominion." This term encapsulates the notion of authority exercised by the powerful or those in a superior position. However, the term can also be understood through its connotations of hereditary power, aligning with the English word "dynasty." This interpretation highlights a dynastic structure, where power and influence are passed down through familial lines, thus intertwining the concepts of political authority and family lineage. Aristotle's use of dunasteía thus bridges the ideas of both personal dominion and the enduring nature of dynastic rule.

2. Varieties of Democracy and Oligarchy: A Comparative Note

• Range of Regimes:
  • Aristotle states that these are the primary types of oligarchy and democracy. He highlights the variety within each form of government, emphasizing that there is no single way in which oligarchies or democracies are constituted.
• Tension Between Laws and Citizens’ Character:
  • Aristotle notes that in many places, even though the regime is not legally structured as a democracy, the character and habits of the citizens may lead to it being governed in a more democratic fashion.
  • Conversely, there are instances where the legal structure of the regime may lean toward democracy, but the citizens' habits and way of life cause it to function as an oligarchy.
  • This highlights the influence of citizens' character and practices on the actual functioning of the regime, beyond its formal laws.

3. Regime Transitions and Gradual Change

• Regime Transitions After Revolutions:
  • Aristotle observes that after a revolution or change in regime, the transition is often gradual rather than immediate.
  • Initially, the new ruling group may only make small changes, allowing the previous laws to remain in place, while they gradually begin to consolidate their power.
• Slow Expansion of Power:
  • The new rulers may content themselves with small advantages at first, which can slowly increase over time, eventually leading to a more significant shift in the regime.
  • This process of incremental change ensures that the outward appearance of the regime remains relatively stable, even as power becomes concentrated among the new ruling class.

Key Themes and Concepts in Chapter 5:

1. Types of Oligarchy:
   • Aristotle outlines four distinct forms of oligarchy:
     • Property-based oligarchy, where only the wealthy hold office.
     • Elective oligarchy, where a few wealthy individuals elect their successors.
     • Hereditary oligarchy, where political power is passed from father to son.
     • Rule of the powerful, where the few govern without regard to the law, paralleling tyranny.
2. Influence of Citizen Character on Regimes:
   • The character and habits of the citizens can significantly affect how a regime operates in practice, regardless of its legal structure. A formally democratic regime may behave oligarchically due to the influence of a wealthy elite, and vice versa.
3. Gradual Change in Regime After Revolution:
   • Aristotle emphasizes that regime transitions, particularly after revolutions, often happen incrementally. The new rulers may initially preserve existing laws while quietly consolidating power, leading to more gradual changes in the regime's structure.
4. Incremental Consolidation of Power:
   • Aristotle notes that those who instigate regime changes may only seek small, incremental gains at first, which can gradually accumulate into larger shifts in political power.

This chapter outlines the different forms of oligarchy and highlights the complexities of political regimes, particularly the ways in which citizens’ character and incremental changes can shape the functioning of a regime. It illustrates Aristotle’s nuanced approach to understanding how regimes can deviate from their formal structure due to external influences or internal habits.

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