BOOK 6 Chapter 8 Returning to the Offices and what Offices suit what regime

Chapter 8

Offices Necessary for the Administration of a City

I. Introduction: The Importance of Offices for a City (1321b-1322a)

Aristotle begins by emphasizing the importance of clearly defining the various offices within a city. These offices are essential for both the survival and the good governance of the city.

1. Necessity of Offices:
   • A city cannot function without certain necessary offices for its basic existence.
   • Additional offices related to order and good administration are required to ensure the city is governed in a refined and orderly manner.
2. Office Numbers Based on City Size:
   • The number and type of offices depend on the size of the city: smaller cities require fewer offices, while larger cities need more.
   • Aristotle notes that certain offices can be combined in smaller cities but should be separated in larger ones.

II. Offices Related to Market and Property Supervision (1322a)

Aristotle outlines several key offices that deal with the oversight of the market and the city’s property.

1. Market Superintendence:
   • Market oversight is a crucial office, tasked with supervising trade and ensuring orderliness in transactions.
   • Cities rely on buying and selling for their self-sufficiency, and the market office ensures that necessary goods are exchanged smoothly.
2. Town Management:
   • Another important office is that of town management, which oversees public and private property, as well as the maintenance of roads and buildings.
   • This office handles issues related to property boundaries and the repair of decaying infrastructure.
3. Division of Town Management Duties:
   • In larger cities, the tasks of town management are often divided among several officials, each responsible for specific areas like wells, walls, and harbor guards.
4. Field Management:
   • Similarly, there is a field management office responsible for overseeing properties and orderliness in the countryside.
   • These officials are called "field managers" or "foresters" in some cities.

III. Offices for Managing Revenue and Legal Matters (1322a)

In addition to overseeing the market and property, other offices are crucial for managing city finances and legal affairs.

1. Revenue and Treasury:
   • Another important office is the one responsible for receiving, guarding, and distributing the city’s common funds.
   • These officials are called “receivers” or “treasurers”, managing the city’s financial resources.
2. Registration and Legal Supervision:
   • An office dedicated to registering agreements and legal judgments is also necessary.
   • This office handles the initiation of lawsuits and ensures that all legal matters are properly recorded, with officials sometimes called “recorders”, “sacred recorders”, or “supervisors”.

IV. The Office Responsible for Enforcing Punishments and Guarding Prisoners (1322a-b)

Aristotle discusses the challenging but necessary office responsible for enforcing judgments and guarding offenders.

1. Enforcement and Prison Management:
   • There is an office responsible for enforcing punishments against those found guilty and for guarding prisoners.
   • This office is particularly difficult because it involves dealing with unpopular tasks, which can lead to resentment.
2. Division of Responsibilities:
   • To reduce the odium (hatred) that comes with enforcing punishments, Aristotle suggests that different officials should handle different aspects of the process.
   • For example, those responsible for determining guilt should not be the same officials who carry out the punishment.
3. Guarding Prisoners:
   • The office of guarding prisoners should be separate from the office of enforcing punishments.
   • In Athens, this task was handled by a group called the “Eleven”, and Aristotle suggests a similar separation in other cities.

V. Military Offices for the Defense of the City (1322b)

Aristotle emphasizes the need for military offices responsible for the defense and security of the city.

1. Offices for City Defense:
   • Cities need officials to supervise the defense of gates, walls, and other strategic points, especially in times of war.
   • These officials manage the scrutiny and organization of citizens for defense purposes.
2. Military Commanders:
   • Larger cities may have separate military offices for different groups such as cavalry, light-armed troops, or naval forces.
   • These officials are called “generals,” “cavalry commanders,” or “admirals”, depending on their area of responsibility.

VI. Financial Auditing and Scrutiny Offices (1322b)

Aristotle discusses the importance of financial oversight and the auditing of city accounts.

1. Auditors and Accountants:
   • Since many offices handle large sums of common funds, a separate office should be responsible for auditing and scrutinizing financial accounts.
   • These officials ensure that city finances are properly managed and call those responsible for public funds to account.
2. Separation from Other Offices:
   • Auditors should not be involved in any other aspects of administration to maintain their impartiality.
   • These officials are referred to as “auditors,” “accountants,” or “scrutinizers” in different cities.

VII. Authority Over the Deliberative Body (1322b)

Aristotle identifies the office that has authority over the final disposition of public matters and oversees the city’s governing council.

1. Preliminary Councillors and Councils:
   • There is an office responsible for preparing and introducing measures to the city’s deliberative body.
   • In some cities, this office is called the “preliminary councillors,” while in others it is known as the “council,” particularly where the people hold authority.
2. Supervision of Deliberations:
   • This office plays a key role in presiding over the city’s authoritative decisions and convening the ruling body.

VIII. Offices Related to Sacred Matters (1322b-1323a)

Aristotle turns to the offices that manage religious and sacred matters within the city.

1. Priests and Sacred Officials:
   • Cities require officials responsible for the supervision of religious affairs and sacred buildings.
   • These offices ensure the maintenance and preservation of temples, sacred sites, and religious activities.
2. Celebration of Public Sacrifices:
   • Another key religious office is responsible for the celebration of public sacrifices, which are not assigned to the priests.
   • These officials are often called “kings” or “presidents,” depending on the city.

IX. Summary of Necessary Offices (1323a)

Aristotle concludes by summarizing the types of offices that are necessary for the administration of a city.

1. Types of Offices:
   • The necessary offices include those related to divine matters, military affairs, financial management, market regulation, property oversight, and legal matters.
   • Additionally, there are offices for registering agreements, punishing offenders, guarding prisoners, and auditing officials.
2. Offices for Leisurely and Prosperous Cities:
   • Cities that enjoy greater leisure and prosperity may have additional offices such as those responsible for the management of women, children, and public spectacles.

X. Conclusion: The Political Nature of Offices (1323a)

Aristotle concludes the chapter by categorizing offices based on their political character.

1. Types of Election Offices:
   • Offices responsible for overseeing elections to authoritative positions include law guardians, preliminary councillors, and councils.
   • Law guardians are associated with aristocracy, preliminary councillors with oligarchy, and councils with democracy.
2. Final Overview of Offices:
   • Aristotle provides a final review of the many types of offices that are critical for the functioning and stability of both democratic and oligarchic regimes.

Summary of Key Points:

• Necessity of Offices: A city requires a range of offices to handle everything from basic survival needs (e.g., market regulation and property maintenance) to more complex administrative functions (e.g., military defense and religious oversight).
• Variety of Offices: Offices vary depending on the size and wealth of the city, with larger cities requiring more specialized and separate offices.
• Religious and Military Oversight: Proper governance includes offices responsible for sacred matters and military defense, ensuring the city’s cultural and physical security.
• Financial and Legal Accountability: Offices for auditing and legal enforcement are crucial to prevent corruption and maintain justice.
• Political Influence: Different types of offices reflect the political structure of the city, with certain offices aligning with aristocratic, oligarchic, or democratic regimes.

---

Video Explanation

Video Explanation Not Yet Available.