BOOK 4 Chapter 7 Aristocracy or "What is Called Such'

Chapter 7

I. Introduction: Beyond the Four Traditional Regimes (1293b)

1. Four conventional types of regimes:
   • Aristotle starts by mentioning the commonly accepted four regimes: monarchy, oligarchy, democracy, and aristocracy.
   • These are the most discussed forms of governance in both Aristotle’s time and in the philosophical works of others, particularly Plato.
2. The existence of a fifth regime:
   • Aristotle introduces the concept of a fifth regime that tends to be overlooked due to its rarity.
   • This regime doesn’t fit cleanly into the traditional categories and is simply referred to as "regime" (πολιτεία, politeia in Greek).
   • This term, though often used generically, in Aristotle's context suggests a mixed or constitutional regime that blends elements of democracy and oligarchy. However, it is typically omitted in common discourse about political systems.
   • Significance: This fifth regime is crucial for understanding the full spectrum of political governance, as it complicates the simplistic categorization of regimes into only four types.

II. Defining True Aristocracy

1. True Aristocracy: The Rule of Virtue
   • Aristocracy in its purest form, according to Aristotle, is a regime where the rulers are selected entirely based on virtue.
   • The term aristocracy literally means "rule of the best" (from the Greek "aristoi," meaning the best or noblest).
   • Best regime: In the best possible aristocratic regime, those who rule are not just skilled or wealthy; they are good individuals in a moral and civic sense. This means they are virtuous both as private individuals (good men) and as public figures (good citizens).
   • The connection between virtue and citizenship: Aristotle insists that in the ideal aristocracy, the good man (a person of moral excellence) is identical to the good citizen (one who upholds civic duties with excellence).
2. Other regimes claiming aristocracy:
   • Aristotle points out that not all regimes that call themselves aristocracies truly embody this ideal.
   • Many regimes are considered aristocratic not because of their rulers' moral excellence, but because they include wealth or other criteria alongside virtue.
   • Key distinction: True aristocracy is based on virtue alone, not on wealth or status, which sets it apart from other regimes.

III. Hybrid Aristocracies: Mixtures of Wealth, Virtue, and Popular Elements

1. Regimes that blend virtue and wealth:
   • Aristotle acknowledges the existence of regimes that include wealth as a criterion for holding office, in addition to virtue.
   • These regimes differ from oligarchies because they don’t rely solely on wealth for governance, and they differ from democracies because they incorporate virtuous rulers.
   • Example of Carthage: Carthage is cited as an example of an aristocratic regime where offices are filled based on a mixture of wealth, virtue, and the popular will. In Carthage, the selection of officials is more balanced, combining merit (virtue) with wealth and democratic processes.
2. Mixed regimes with democratic influence:
   • Aristotle also notes that some regimes, like Sparta, involve a mixture of democracy and virtue.
   • Sparta's mixed constitution: In the Spartan regime, governance includes democratic elements (participation of the people) as well as a focus on virtue. This mixture leads to a form of aristocracy where power is shared between the virtuous elite and the general population.
   • This form of aristocracy, while not strictly based on virtue alone, still incorporates a moral element in its selection of rulers.

IV. The Three Forms of Aristocracy

1. First form: True or ideal aristocracy:
   • The first type of aristocracy, and the one Aristotle considers best, is the regime that is ruled exclusively by the virtuous.
   • This regime is marked by a strong alignment between moral excellence and civic excellence. In this regime, the best citizens are those who demonstrate moral virtue, and the rulers are chosen on that basis alone.
   • Rationale: Aristotle argues that only when rulers are selected purely on the basis of their moral virtue can the city achieve the highest form of justice and the common good.
2. Second form: Hybrid aristocracies (mixed regimes):
   • The second type of aristocracy combines wealth, virtue, and popular influence.
   • Key characteristics:
     • These regimes may choose rulers based on wealth and virtue in combination, rather than virtue alone.
     • Though they aim to incorporate the "best" citizens, these regimes are less perfect than the first type because wealth and other factors are included in the selection criteria.
     • Carthage is an example where this mix is evident, as is Sparta, which blends democratic participation with virtue.
     • Governance principle: These regimes recognize virtue but also allow for wealth and broader citizen participation in governance, making them more pragmatic in terms of real-world politics.
3. Third form: Aristocracies inclined toward oligarchy:
   • The third type of aristocracy is closer to an oligarchy, where wealth plays a more dominant role in governance.
   • Characteristics:
     • Although these regimes may still prioritize virtue to some extent, they are more heavily influenced by the wealth and status of their rulers.
     • These regimes tend to restrict political participation to a narrow class of wealthy individuals, creating a system that is more exclusive than the other forms of aristocracy.
   • Aristocracy in name only: While they might retain the label of aristocracy, these regimes are closer in practice to oligarchies, as they focus more on wealth than virtue.

V. Conclusion: Complexity and Nuance in Aristocratic Regimes

1. The diversity within aristocratic regimes:
   • Aristotle emphasizes the variety of forms that aristocratic regimes can take, from the pure form based on virtue alone to mixed forms and those approaching oligarchy.
   • Key insight: Aristocracy is not a singular concept, but a spectrum of regimes that can blend virtue, wealth, and popular governance in different proportions.
2. True aristocracy versus hybrid forms:
   • Although some regimes may combine wealth and virtue or incorporate democratic elements, Aristotle insists that true aristocracy is the regime where virtue alone is the determining factor in selecting rulers.
   • Political flexibility: Aristotle recognizes the practical need for flexibility in political systems, acknowledging that mixed forms of aristocracy may be more realistic in many cities, but he still regards the pure aristocratic regime as the ideal form.
3. The fifth regime in context:
   • Aristotle’s discussion of aristocracy also serves to highlight the existence of a fifth regime that doesn’t fall neatly into the categories of monarchy, oligarchy, democracy, or pure aristocracy.
   • This fifth regime is a constitutional polity that blends elements of democracy and oligarchy, further complicating our understanding of political systems.

Summary of Key Themes:

• Virtue as the basis of true aristocracy: Aristocracy, in its purest form, is a regime ruled by the morally virtuous.
• Hybrid regimes: Many regimes combine elements of virtue, wealth, and popular participation, creating mixed forms of governance that Aristotle refers to as aristocratic but which differ from the ideal.
• Three forms of aristocracy: Aristotle categorizes aristocracies into three types—true aristocracy, hybrid forms that mix wealth and virtue, and aristocracies inclined toward oligarchy.
• The fifth regime: Beyond the traditional four regimes, Aristotle’s fifth regime is a constitutional form that blends democracy and oligarchy, highlighting the complexity of political governance.

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