BOOK 5 Chapter 7 Destruction of Aristocracies and Regimes

Chapter 7

I. Two Regimes in Focus: Aristocracy and Politeia (Regime)

1. Aristocracy and Politeia Defined
   • Aristocracy: A regime where a small group of the virtuous or elite rules. Power is concentrated among the few who are believed to be superior in virtue or nobility.
   • Politeia (Regime): A more balanced form of government that aims to mix elements of democracy and oligarchy, emphasizing the rule of law and a moderate distribution of power among the many.
2. Commonality Between Aristocracy and Oligarchy
   • Although aristocracies are theoretically based on virtue, they often resemble oligarchies because power is held by a small group.
   • Both aristocracies and oligarchies face similar risks of revolution due to limited access to power and the exclusion of others.

II. Causes of Revolution in Aristocracies

1. Exclusion and Limited Access to Power
   • In aristocracies, revolution arises when too few people participate in governance, paralleling the instability found in oligarchies.
   • Although aristocracy is supposed to be based on virtue, the concentration of power among a few leads to factionalism.
2. Factional Conflict Among Those Who Believe Themselves Equal
   • Revolution occurs when individuals who consider themselves equal in virtue or merit to the ruling elite are excluded from power.
   • Example: The Partheniae in Sparta, descendants of Spartan peers, conspired against the ruling class but were sent to Tarentum as settlers.
3. Disrespect or Dishonor of the Virtuous
   • Factionalism is triggered when individuals of great merit are dishonored or disregarded by those in higher positions.
   • Example: Lysander, a celebrated general in Sparta, was dishonored by the Spartan kings, leading to resentment.
4. Ambitious Individuals Excluded from Power
   • Those who are capable and courageous but are excluded from power may incite revolt.
   • Example: Cinadon, a non-elite Spartan, led an attack on the ruling class during the reign of Agesilaus.
5. Economic Disparities and Poverty
   • Revolution in aristocracies is also fueled by economic inequality, especially during times of war.
   • Example: In Sparta, during the Messenian War, economic hardship led the poor to demand land redistribution, as noted in Tyrtaeus’ poem "Good Governance."
6. Ambitious Individuals Seeking Tyranny
   • Revolutions in aristocracies may also occur when ambitious individuals seek to become tyrants.
   • Example: Pausanias, the Spartan general during the Persian Wars, and Hanno of Carthage both attempted to aggrandize power and become sole rulers.

III. Causes of Revolution in Politeia (Regime)

1. Deviations from Justice in the Regime
   • Both aristocracies and regimes (politeia) are undermined when justice is not properly administered.
   • A regime is destabilized when the mixture of democratic and oligarchic elements is unbalanced, leading to dissatisfaction among the populace.
2. Balancing Democracy and Oligarchy in the Regime
   • The most successful regimes (politeia) are those that finely balance elements of democracy (rule of the many) and oligarchy (rule of the few).
   • Regimes that incline too far toward oligarchy are often called aristocracies, and regimes that incline toward democracy are called politeia.
   • Stability depends on how well the democratic and oligarchic elements are blended.
3. Failure to Balance the Interests of the Many and the Few
   • If the regime fails to give both the wealthy and the poor their due, it tends to transform:
     • Politeia can turn into full democracy if the regime inclines too much toward the many.
     • Aristocracy can turn into oligarchy if the elite dominate the regime and exclude others.
   • Example: Thurii, where a regime originally based on a large property assessment allowed the elite to dominate land ownership, leading to conflict and eventual land redistribution.
4. The Role of Economic Inequality in Regime Revolutions
   • In politeia, revolution is often driven by economic inequality. As the wealthy seek to consolidate power and land, the disenfranchised demand greater access to resources and power.
   • Example: In Thurii, the notables took control of much of the land, leading to civil war between the elites and the common people, who ultimately prevailed.

IV. Differences Between Aristocracy and Politeia

1. Stability in Politeia (Regime)
   • Politeia is more stable than aristocracy because it emphasizes equality among the majority of citizens.
   • The majority is more content in a regime where they feel they have a share in power, leading to greater stability.
2. Instability in Aristocracy
   • Aristocracies, on the other hand, are less stable because they give preeminence to the elite, who may become arrogant and seek to expand their power.
   • This arrogance can lead to internal factionalism and revolution, as the common people push back against unequal treatment.
3. Transformations in Aristocracy and Politeia
   • Aristocracy can devolve into oligarchy or democracy depending on whether the ruling elite become too exclusionary or the common people revolt against inequality.
   • Politeia can shift toward democracy if the ruling majority expands its influence, or toward oligarchy if the wealthy gain too much control.

V. Gradual Revolutions in Aristocracies

1. Slow and Gradual Changes Leading to Overthrow
   • Revolutions in aristocracies tend to happen gradually and are often overlooked.
   • Small, incremental changes to the regime's structure accumulate over time, leading to a larger transformation.
2. Example: Thurii
   • In Thurii, the law limiting generals to serve once every five years was overturned by younger military leaders.
   • These leaders, supported by the garrisons and the common people, were able to continuously serve as generals, destabilizing the regime.
   • Initial resistance from officials was overcome, leading to a more significant transformation of the regime into rule by the ambitious military leaders.

VI. External and Internal Causes of Revolution in Both Regimes

1. Internal Causes of Revolution
   • Internal conflicts, such as imbalances in power, inequality, and deviations from justice, are the primary causes of revolution in both aristocracy and politeia.
   • Ambitious individuals, factionalism among the ruling elite, and economic disparities all contribute to internal instability.
2. External Causes of Revolution
   • External forces, particularly neighboring powers with different regimes, can also cause revolution.
   • Example: The Athenians supported the overthrow of oligarchies, while the Spartans opposed democracies, leading to regime changes in various city-states.
3. Influence of Neighboring Regimes
   • The proximity of opposing regimes can destabilize a city-state's government by encouraging revolutions aligned with the external power’s political structure.

Summary

In Politics, Book 5, Chapter 7, Aristotle examines the causes of revolution in two distinct types of regimes: aristocracy and politeia (regime).

• Aristocracy, while theoretically based on virtue, is prone to revolution due to the exclusion of capable individuals, economic inequality, and factionalism within the elite. It often resembles oligarchy in practice, leading to internal strife and eventual transformation into oligarchy or democracy.
• Politeia (regime), which attempts to balance the interests of the many and the few, is generally more stable. However, if the balance is disrupted—if power shifts too far toward the wealthy or the poor—revolution can occur. Politeia is more stable than aristocracy because it tends to provide greater equality among citizens, but it can also transform into oligarchy or democracy depending on the prevailing political and economic dynamics.

In both regimes, gradual changes and external pressures can contribute to their downfall, as seen in historical examples like Thurii, Sparta, and Locri.

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