BOOK 6 Chapter 5 How to Make Democracies Endure

Chapter 5:

Preserving and Stabilizing Democracy

I. Introduction: Preservation Over Establishment (1320a)

In this chapter, Aristotle emphasizes that the most important task of the legislator is not merely to establish a regime, but to ensure its long-term preservation. The goal is to create stable democratic institutions that last, rather than regimes that collapse under internal pressures.

1. Legislator’s Focus:
   • The main task is not just instituting a regime but ensuring its preservation.
   • Governing for a few days or short periods is easy, but the challenge is to maintain stability over time.
2. Ensuring Longevity:
   • Regimes should be designed to last for the longest period, not just to maximize democratic or oligarchic control in the short term.
   • Stability depends on avoiding the causes of regime destruction and promoting laws (both written and unwritten) that prevent instability.

II. Causes of Instability and Legislative Solutions (1320a)

Aristotle identifies several causes of instability in democracies and offers practical legislative solutions to counter these issues.

1. Confiscations and Public Suits:
   • Problem: Popular leaders often use confiscations through the courts to gain favor with the people, leading to instability.
   • Solution: Property confiscated in public cases should not be added to public wealth but rather designated as sacred. This reduces incentives for unjust prosecutions and promotes fairness in the judicial process.
2. Reducing Frivolous Public Suits:
   • Problem: Frivolous lawsuits, particularly against the notables, destabilize the regime.
   • Solution: Impose heavy penalties on those who prosecute frivolously, ensuring that legal action is used for justice rather than political manipulation.

III. Managing Assemblies and Courts in Large Democracies (1320a-b)

In larger democracies, managing the number and frequency of assemblies and court cases is key to preserving the stability of the regime, especially where resources are scarce.

1. Challenges of Large Democracies:
   • In democracies with large populations, many citizens find it difficult to attend assemblies without pay.
   • When there are no external sources of revenue, the notables (wealthy) bear the burden through taxes, confiscations, and corruption in courts—these measures often lead to regime collapse.
2. Solutions for Poorly Financed Democracies:
   • Reduce the number of assemblies: Hold fewer assemblies to lessen the financial burden on the state and the wealthy.
   • Shorten court proceedings: Courts should convene for a limited number of days, making it easier for the wealthy to participate without significantly disrupting their private affairs.
3. Payment for Participation:
   • Poor citizens should receive pay for attending court and assembly, but the wealthy should be exempt to prevent financial strain.
   • This system benefits the state by ensuring better judgments from those who cannot afford to neglect their personal affairs for long periods.

IV. Managing Surplus Revenues in Democracies (1320b)

Aristotle stresses that financial stability is crucial for maintaining democracy. He outlines how surplus revenues should be managed to prevent instability and support the poor without creating a dependency on constant handouts.

1. The Problem with Surplus Distribution:
   • Popular leaders often distribute surplus revenues to the people, who then demand more, creating a cycle of dependency—what Aristotle refers to as the "punctured jar."
2. Sustainable Financial Support:
   • Instead of distributing surplus randomly, Aristotle argues for accumulating surplus over time and providing meaningful support to the poor.
   • Long-term Solutions: The revenues should be used to help the poor acquire land, start a business, or engage in farming. This creates self-sufficiency, reducing poverty and stabilizing democracy.
3. Equitable Distribution:
   • If it’s not feasible to distribute to everyone, funds should be distributed to citizens based on tribes or divisions within the city, ensuring fairness over time.
   • The wealthy should contribute through taxes to fund essential meetings, while being exempt from unnecessary public duties.

V. Examples of Effective Redistribution Practices (1320b)

Aristotle provides examples of how redistribution policies and systems in other cities have preserved democracy by keeping the people engaged and financially stable.

1. Carthaginian Model:
   • The Carthaginians preserve the goodwill of their citizens by sending some of them to subject cities, giving them wealth and influence. This practice spreads prosperity among the populace and prevents unrest.
2. Tarentine Practices:
   • In Tarentum, the notables make their wealth available for use by the poor, thus fostering goodwill and ensuring that the poor do not feel alienated from the regime.
3. Personal Responsibility of the Wealthy:
   • The wealthy should take responsibility for dividing the poor among themselves, providing them with the means to engage in productive labor. This reduces poverty and stabilizes the political system by creating economic opportunity.

VI. Institutional Structure in Democracies (1321a)

Aristotle concludes by discussing how democracies should be structured to ensure that all citizens feel involved in governance while still maintaining efficiency and competence.

1. Double Form of Offices:
   • Offices should be created in a dual structure: some positions filled by election and others by lottery.
   • Elections ensure that the most capable individuals govern, while lottery selections provide an opportunity for broader participation by the populace.
   • By combining election and lot, the system can balance competence with inclusivity.
2. Dividing Responsibilities:
   • In some cases, the same office can be split between two individuals, one chosen by election and the other by lot. This ensures that governance is effective while also allowing for popular participation.

VII. Conclusion: Summary of Democratic Preservation (1321a)

Aristotle closes the chapter by reiterating the importance of creating sustainable systems for democracy. Preserving democracy is not just about giving the people power; it is about ensuring long-term stability through balanced laws, equitable distribution of resources, and the involvement of capable leaders.

1. Balancing Interests:
   • The best way to preserve a democracy is through balancing the interests of the poor and the wealthy, ensuring that no group feels alienated from the regime.
2. Inclusive but Competent Governance:
   • By mixing electoral and lottery-based office appointments, democracies can maintain both inclusivity and competence, ensuring long-term survival of the regime.

Key Points to Remember

• Preservation Over Establishment: The legislator’s primary concern is to ensure the regime lasts, not just to establish it.
• Financial Stability: Surplus revenue should be used for sustainable poverty relief, not short-term handouts.
• Reduced Assemblies and Courts: Fewer, shorter meetings reduce the financial burden on the wealthy while allowing the poor to participate.
• Balanced Participation: Democracies should combine elections and lotteries to ensure both competence and broad citizen involvement.
• Examples from Other Cities: Carthaginian and Tarentine practices offer models for preserving stability through economic redistribution and inclusive governance.

This chapter offers Aristotle's detailed strategies for preserving democratic regimes, focusing on balancing financial burdens, ensuring competent governance, and fostering inclusion to avoid instability and collapse.

---

Video Explanation

Video Explanation Not Yet Available.