Chapter 4
I. Introduction: Preconditions for the Best Regime (1326a1-4)
- Overview of the Preface and Earlier Discussions
- Aristotle opens by noting that the earlier chapters have served as a preface to his current discussion. He has already discussed various types of regimes and now transitions to examine the best possible city, a topic previously alluded to but not yet fully explored.
- He emphasizes the importance of presuppositions when considering the best regime, suggesting that just as craftsmen require suitable materials for their work, so too must legislators and political theorists presuppose certain conditions for the ideal city.
- Material Preconditions for the Best Regime
- The best regime requires suitable "equipment," which refers to the necessary conditions for its formation, such as the number of citizens and the amount of territory.
- These preconditions should be realistic and achievable, not utopian or impossible. Aristotle insists that even though these preconditions might seem like prayers or ideal wishes, they should remain within the realm of possibility.
II. The Necessary Equipment for the City: Citizens and Territory (1326a5-10)
- Citizens as Essential Material
- Just as craftsmen rely on materials like wood or wool to create ships or cloth, the political expert requires a suitable number of citizens of appropriate quality to build a well-functioning city.
- The citizens are the "material" upon which the legislator works, and the success of the regime depends on the quality and character of its citizens, as well as the quantity.
- Territory and Resources
- Along with the quality and number of citizens, Aristotle emphasizes the importance of the city’s territory. The land must be sufficient in size and quality to support the population and contribute to their well-being.
- This analogy underscores the importance of practical resources in creating a stable and prosperous political community.
III. Misconceptions About the Size of Cities (1326a11-15)
- Common Misunderstandings About Great Cities
- Aristotle critiques the common belief that a city's greatness is measured by the sheer number of its inhabitants. Many people mistakenly believe that the larger the population, the greater the city.
- He argues that the true measure of a city's greatness is not its population size but its capacity to function well and fulfill its purpose.
- City Size and Functionality
- A city's greatness should be judged by its ability to perform its functions effectively, just as Hippocrates is considered a greater doctor than a physically larger but less capable person.
- This argument introduces the idea that quality, rather than quantity, should be the criterion for evaluating a city’s greatness.
IV. Defining the "Parts" of a City and the Role of Citizens (1326a16-20)
- Citizenship and the City’s Function
- Aristotle emphasizes that only those who are actual citizens and contribute to the functioning of the city should be considered when evaluating its greatness.
- A large population that includes many slaves, foreigners, or non-citizens does not contribute to the city’s greatness, as these groups are not part of the political body responsible for governance and civic participation.
- A City’s Military Capability as a Measure of Greatness
- He further argues that a city’s greatness should also be judged by its ability to defend itself, noting that a city that can send out a large number of workers but only a small number of soldiers is not truly great.
- This suggests that a balanced and capable citizenry is crucial to a city’s strength and overall success.
V. The Problems with Excessive Population Size (1326a21-25)
- Challenges of Managing a Large Population
- Aristotle points out that a city with an excessively large population becomes difficult, if not impossible, to govern effectively. Order and governance become harder to maintain as the population grows beyond a certain limit.
- Law, which is a form of order, cannot be maintained in an overly populous city, because such large numbers are incapable of participating in the necessary political structures and procedures.
- Divine Power and Order
- Aristotle even likens the governance of an excessively large city to a task requiring divine power, as only something supernatural could hold such a large entity together.
- This exaggeration serves to highlight the practical difficulties associated with governing a city that is too large to maintain internal order and justice.
VI. The Necessity of Balance in City Size (1326a26-1326b5)
- Balance Between Size and Functionality
- Aristotle compares cities to other entities like animals, plants, and instruments, arguing that all these things require a certain size to function properly. Too small or too large, and they lose their capacity to perform their intended function.
- He uses the example of a ship: a ship that is too small is ineffective, and one that is too large becomes difficult to manage. Similarly, a city must have the right number of citizens to function effectively.
- The City as a Self-Sufficient Entity
- A city that is too small cannot be self-sufficient, while a city that is too large becomes more like a nation and is no longer a city in the proper sense.
- The goal is to find the right size where the city is self-sufficient but still manageable in terms of governance and social cohesion.
VII. The Role of Familiarity in Governance (1326b6-10)
- Familiarity Among Citizens
- For good governance to occur, citizens must be familiar with one another’s character and abilities. This familiarity allows for better judgment in distributing offices and making decisions based on merit.
- In overly populous cities, it becomes difficult for citizens to know one another, leading to haphazard and unjust governance. Merit is harder to assess, and public offices are not distributed based on competence or virtue.
- Dangers of Overpopulation and Lack of Accountability
- In a city with an excessive population, it becomes easier for non-citizens, such as aliens and foreigners, to assume roles within the regime unnoticed, undermining the integrity of the city’s governance.
- This lack of accountability and the potential infiltration of non-citizens into the political structure erode the city’s ability to maintain order and justice.
VIII. The Ideal City: Self-Sufficient and Manageable (1326b11-15)
- The Ideal City’s Size
- Aristotle argues that the ideal city is one that is large enough to be self-sufficient but small enough to be manageable and orderly. The city should have the right number of citizens to support a good life and provide for its needs.
- There must be a balance between the city’s ability to meet its material needs (self-sufficiency) and its capacity to maintain good governance and social order.
- The Importance of Surveyability
- The ideal city should also be “readily surveyable,” meaning that it should be of a size that allows for oversight and governance. The city must be small enough that its rulers can manage it effectively, and its citizens can be properly governed.
- Aristotle concludes that this balance between size and functionality is the key to determining the best city.
IX. Conclusion: The Ideal Measure for the City (1326b16-20)
- Actions of the City’s Rulers and Ruled
- The city’s actions involve both the rulers, who command and judge, and the ruled, who participate in governance. The proper functioning of these roles requires a population size that allows for effective governance and judgment.
- If the population is too large, it becomes difficult for rulers to make informed decisions and for citizens to engage in meaningful political participation.
- Final Thoughts on the City’s Size
- Aristotle concludes that the best city is one that has a population large enough to be self-sufficient but small enough to maintain order and good governance.
- This balance is crucial for creating a regime where citizens can live well, participate in governance, and ensure the city's stability and justice.
Summary:
In Chapter 4 of Politics Book 7, Aristotle examines the ideal size and structure of a city necessary for the best regime. He argues that the best city must have the right number of citizens and sufficient territory to be self-sufficient, but it must also be of a size that allows for good governance and order. He critiques the common belief that a larger population necessarily makes a city great, emphasizing instead the importance of functionality, self-sufficiency, and order. Aristotle concludes that a balance between size and manageability is essential for creating the best political community, where citizens can engage in virtuous actions and live well.
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