BOOK 5 Chapter 11 Preservation of Monarchies

Chapter 11

I. Preservation of Kingships and Tyrannies

• A. Preservation of Kingships through Moderation
  • Aristotle begins by discussing the preservation of kingships, emphasizing that they are maintained by opposite methods to those used in tyrannies. The key to a lasting kingship is moderation. Kingships that extend their rule over fewer things, and thus reduce their authority, are likely to endure for longer periods. The reasoning here is that when kings take on a more equal and moderate role, they are less envied and resented by those they rule. A king who behaves less like a master and more like an equal will face fewer threats to his authority.
  • An example of this can be seen in the Molossian kingship and the Spartan kingship, which have endured for long periods because they were structured in ways that dispersed power. In the case of Sparta, the dual kingship from its inception divided power between two kings. Moreover, the Spartan king Theopompus ensured that the kingship lasted even longer by introducing the office of the overseers (or ephors), effectively reducing royal power. By limiting his authority, Theopompus was able to strengthen the kingship rather than weaken it. In a famous anecdote, when his wife questioned him about leaving a reduced kingship to their sons, Theopompus replied that he was leaving them a kingship that would last longer.
• B. Preservation of Tyrannies
  • 1. Traditional Tyrannical Methods
    • Tyrannies, in contrast, are preserved through methods that are fundamentally opposed to the principles of kingship. These methods rely on fear, suppression, and the prevention of trust and cooperation among the subjects. Tyrants often employ strategies that were pioneered by Periander of Corinth and the Persian rulers. These strategies are aimed at maintaining control by eliminating those who are preeminent or have high thoughts, and by restricting social and communal activities such as common messes, clubs, and education. These restrictions are designed to prevent individuals from forming bonds of trust and from developing the confidence to challenge the tyrant.
    • One key method of preserving tyranny is ensuring that citizens are kept ignorant of each other’s activities, which prevents trust from forming. The tyrant seeks to ensure that citizens’ lives are constantly under surveillance, either directly or indirectly, so that no one feels safe enough to plot against the regime. The tyrant tries to make citizens live in such a way that they are constantly acting like slaves, developing small, submissive thoughts.
  • 2. Further Tyrannical Tactics
    • Tyrannies are also maintained through the use of spies and informants, who monitor and report on the conversations and activities of citizens. These spies, such as the "inducers" in Syracuse or the "eavesdroppers" used by Hiero, are employed to prevent free speech and make individuals fearful of expressing dissent. Another common tyrannical tactic is sowing discord among the population by turning friends against each other and creating divisions between different social classes, such as the wealthy and the common people. The tyrant also seeks to impoverish the people through heavy taxation and forced labor, as seen in the construction of the pyramids in Egypt and other grand projects undertaken by rulers like the Cypselids and the Pisistratids. By keeping the populace focused on their immediate needs and depriving them of leisure, the tyrant prevents them from conspiring against him.
    • Another important strategy is keeping the people busy through constant warfare. By engaging in wars, tyrants ensure that their subjects are always in need of leadership and are too preoccupied with survival to plot rebellion. Additionally, tyrants often distrust their own friends, fearing that they are the ones most capable of overthrowing them.

II. Characteristics and Preservation of Tyranny

• A. Parallels Between Tyranny and Extreme Democracy
  • Aristotle observes that there are striking similarities between extreme forms of democracy and tyranny. In both systems, women and slaves tend to have significant influence within households, as they are perceived to be less likely to conspire against the rulers. Since women and slaves prosper under both democracies and tyrannies, they often develop a benevolent view of these regimes. Furthermore, in both systems, the flatterer occupies a prominent position. In democracy, the demagogue (or popular leader) is essentially a flatterer of the people, while in tyranny, those who flatter the tyrant also rise to power.
  • Both systems favor the base (morally corrupt) over the dignified, as the base are more willing to flatter and submit to the ruler’s whims. Dignified individuals, in contrast, are unwilling to engage in flattery and are therefore distrusted by tyrants.
• B. Goals and Objectives of Tyranny
  • Aristotle identifies three main goals that tyrannies pursue to ensure their survival.
    • First, the tyrant seeks to keep his subjects’ thoughts modest and small. A person with low ambitions will not attempt to conspire against the ruler.
    • Second, the tyrant works to destroy trust among the subjects. Since trust is essential for conspiracies, the tyrant sows distrust and fear among the people, preventing them from forming alliances that could threaten his rule.
    • Third, the tyrant ensures that his subjects are incapable of taking action. He strives to keep them weak, impoverished, and dependent, thereby removing any possibility of rebellion.
• C. Opposite Mode of Tyrannical Preservation
  • Aristotle contrasts the harsh, traditional methods of preserving tyranny with an alternative approach that is opposite in nature. In this mode, the tyrant adopts practices associated with kingship, which are more moderate and dignified. The goal here is to soften the harsh image of tyranny while still retaining power.
  • By presenting himself as a benevolent ruler who cares for the common good, the tyrant can make his rule appear more legitimate. For instance, he should manage the common funds responsibly and avoid extravagant spending that would anger the people. By doing so, he can appear more as a manager or steward of the city rather than a tyrant. Additionally, he should maintain a military reputation to prevent others from viewing him as weak, but he should refrain from appearing arrogant or abusive toward his subjects, especially women and youth.
  • The tyrant should also show respect for the gods and act in a way that makes him appear pious, as this fosters the belief that he is protected by divine powers. This encourages citizens to refrain from conspiring against him out of fear of divine retribution. Similarly, the tyrant should honor those who are virtuous, ensuring that they feel they are being treated justly under his rule.

III. The Role of Social Classes in Tyranny

• A. Balancing the Interests of the Social Classes
  • Aristotle notes that cities are composed of two main parts: the rich and the poor. A tyrant must ensure that both groups feel they are being treated fairly and are not being oppressed by the other class. The tyrant should form alliances with the more powerful of these groups to strengthen his position and prevent rebellion. By aligning himself with one group, the tyrant can often prevent the need for more extreme measures, such as freeing slaves or confiscating weapons, as this alliance ensures his superiority over any potential challengers.

IV. Final Considerations on Tyranny’s Rule

• A. Benefits of a Nobler Tyranny
  • Aristotle concludes by discussing the benefits of adopting a more moderate form of tyranny. If the tyrant governs in a way that does not provoke hatred or fear, he will not only have a longer-lasting rule, but his reign will also be more enviable and noble. While such a ruler may not achieve full virtue, he will at least be half-decent, avoiding the extremes of vice that characterize the most corrupt forms of tyranny.
  • By acting as a steward of the city and seeking moderation in all aspects of life, the tyrant can maintain power without constantly fearing rebellion or resentment from the people.

Summary of Major Themes

• Moderation as Preservation: Both kingships and tyrannies benefit from moderation. Kingships that limit their powers endure longer, and tyrants who adopt a kingly appearance while subtly retaining control can extend their rule.
• Tyranny’s Strategies: Traditional tyranny is preserved through fear, suppression, and distrust. However, an alternative mode of tyranny can involve presenting the ruler as a benevolent and responsible manager, thereby securing his position through goodwill rather than fear alone.
• Social Control: Tyrants aim to keep their subjects weak, distrustful, and incapable of action. The preservation of tyranny requires both psychological control (preventing ambitious thoughts and trust) and physical control (keeping the people impoverished and dependent).

---

Video Explanation