BOOK 4 Chapter 8 "Regime called Regime"

Chapter 8

I. Introduction: Distinguishing Regime and Tyranny

1. Regime vs. Tyranny:
   • Aristotle sets out to discuss what he calls the "regime" (πολιτεία, politeia), in contrast to tyranny, which is considered the least legitimate form of government.
   • Regime is not a deviation from the correct forms of government, unlike tyranny and other flawed forms (oligarchy, democracy), because it is a mixture of different elements.
   • The order of discussion: Tyranny is examined last because it is the most imperfect and furthest removed from the idea of a legitimate regime.
2. Position of regime in the spectrum of governance:
   • While oligarchy, democracy, and various forms of aristocracy are often listed as deviations from the best regime, Aristotle distinguishes the regime as something more balanced and moderate.
   • Context: This chapter is a continuation of previous discussions on oligarchy and democracy, and how they relate to this mixed regime.

II. Definition of Regime (Politeia) as a Mixture

1. Mixture of oligarchy and democracy:
   • Simply put, regime (politeia) is a mix of oligarchic and democratic elements.
   • While it blends principles from both oligarchy (rule of the wealthy) and democracy (rule of the free), it is not identical to either. This balanced approach seeks to combine the best aspects of both systems.
2. Terminological confusion: Regimes vs. Aristocracy:
   • In practice, many call regimes (politeias) those forms that lean toward democracy, while forms that lean toward oligarchy are often called aristocracies.
   • Education and good birth: People associate wealth and aristocracy with good education and noble birth, which creates confusion about which system is truly aristocratic.
   • Aristocracy as an ideal: True aristocracy, as previously discussed by Aristotle, gives preeminence to virtue rather than just wealth or birth.

III. The Role of Wealth and Virtue in Governance

1. The "gentleman" in oligarchies and aristocracies:
   • The wealthy in an oligarchy are often seen as gentlemen because they possess what others desire, and thus they do not need to commit acts of injustice to acquire these things.
   • In aristocracies, the best citizens—those of virtue—are often also the wealthiest, leading to the belief that oligarchies are composed of noble individuals.
2. Relationship between good governance and aristocracy:
   • A well-run city cannot be governed by the base or corrupt individuals; it requires the virtuous (as in an aristocracy) to be in control.
   • Good governance relies not just on good laws but on ensuring those laws are obeyed. Governance fails if the laws are not followed, even if they are well-crafted.
   • Obedience to laws: Good governance can take two forms:
     • Laws that are well-enacted and obeyed.
     • Laws that are not well-enacted but still obeyed.

IV. Two Types of Good Governance

1. Obeying well-enacted laws:
   • One form of good governance occurs when the laws, being properly enacted, are obeyed by citizens. This form is closer to Aristotle’s ideal.
2. Obeying poorly enacted laws:
   • It is possible for laws that are not ideal to still be obeyed, resulting in a kind of order even though the laws are flawed.
   • Obedience to the best laws possible: The key difference is whether the citizens are obeying the best laws possible for them, or laws that are best simply. The latter refers to universal, ideally just laws, whereas the former refers to laws that are appropriate for a given city's specific context.

V. Aristocracy’s Defining Principle: Virtue

1. Aristocracy and the distribution of political prerogatives:
   • The hallmark of aristocracy is the distribution of offices and prerogatives based on virtue.
   • Principles of rule:
     • Aristocracy is based on virtue.
     • Oligarchy is based on wealth.
     • Democracy is based on freedom.
2. Majority rule across regimes:
   • In all regimes—whether oligarchic, aristocratic, or democratic—the will of the majority of those who participate in governance holds authority.
   • Even in oligarchies, the decisions of the wealthy majority are authoritative, while in democracies, it is the free citizens who hold power through majority rule.

VI. Common Mislabeling of Aristocracy

1. Misuse of the term "aristocracy":
   • Aristotle criticizes the fact that many cities call their regimes aristocratic, but in truth, they are not. These regimes are often simply mixtures of wealth (oligarchic) and freedom (democratic), without a genuine commitment to virtue.
   • Distorted meaning: In most places, the wealthy are equated with gentlemen, leading to the false labeling of their regimes as aristocracies.
2. The three principles of equality in the regime:
   • Aristotle identifies three elements that compete for equality within the regime: freedom, wealth, and virtue.
   • Good birth (noble lineage) is often associated with both wealth and virtue, as noble families tend to accumulate both over generations.

VII. Distinguishing Regime and Aristocracy

1. A simple mixture: Regime (politeia):
   • A regime that combines the wealthy and the poor (the well-off and the free) is what Aristotle calls regime (politeia). This is distinct from aristocracy, as it lacks the clear focus on virtue.
   • A higher form: Mixture of wealth, freedom, and virtue: A more complex regime, which combines wealth, freedom, and virtue, comes closer to aristocracy.
   • While not the purest form of aristocracy (which is based solely on virtue), this mixture of three elements is considered closer to the true aristocracy.
2. Differentiating regimes:
   • Aristotle reaffirms that there are multiple types of regimes beyond the traditional forms of monarchy, democracy, and oligarchy.
   • He outlines the distinctions between these regimes, the various forms of aristocracy, and how they differ in their focus on wealth, freedom, and virtue.
   • Proximity of regimes: While regimes and aristocracies differ, they are not vastly different from each other in practice.

VIII. Conclusion: The Spectrum of Regimes and Governance

1. Aristocracy as a regime of virtue:
   • The highest form of aristocracy is defined by virtue, while lesser forms incorporate wealth and freedom in various combinations.
2. The importance of good governance:
   • Good governance depends on a combination of well-enacted laws and obedience to those laws, regardless of whether the regime is aristocratic, democratic, or oligarchic.
3. The coexistence of regimes:
   • Aristotle emphasizes that there are many hybrid regimes that combine aspects of oligarchy, democracy, and aristocracy.
   • The distinctions between these regimes are subtle, but understanding them is crucial for comprehending how different cities and political systems operate.

Summary of Key Themes:

• Regime as a mixture: Regime (politeia) is a mixture of oligarchic and democratic elements, with an emphasis on balancing the interests of the wealthy and the free.
• Good governance: Good governance relies on obedience to laws, whether those laws are ideal or adapted to the city's circumstances.
• Aristocracy’s defining principle: True aristocracy distributes political power based on virtue, but in practice, many regimes that claim to be aristocratic are actually oligarchic.
• Three principles of equality: The political struggle for equality within a regime revolves around freedom, wealth, and virtue.
• Diverse regimes: Aristotle highlights the complexity and variety of political regimes, which often mix elements of democracy, oligarchy, and aristocracy in different ways.

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