Chapter 9
I. Introduction: Investigating Roles and Functions in the City (1329a1-5)
- Question of Role Distribution
- Aristotle opens the chapter by raising the question of whether all citizens should share in all civic roles—such as farming, craftsmanship, deliberation, and adjudication—or whether these roles should be assigned to different individuals.
- He considers whether some roles must necessarily be specialized while others can be shared, pointing out that different regimes handle these matters differently.
- Variations in Regimes
- Aristotle notes that the assignment of roles varies depending on the type of regime. In democracies, all citizens tend to share in all roles, whereas in oligarchies, specific roles are restricted to certain classes.
- This distinction between regimes leads to a consideration of how the best regime should handle the distribution of tasks.
II. The Best Regime and Its Relationship to Virtue (1329a5-10)
- Happiness and Virtue in the Best Regime
- Since Aristotle is focused on identifying the best regime—one in which the city is happiest and most virtuous—he reiterates that happiness is inseparable from virtue.
- Therefore, the best regime must be one in which citizens engage in activities conducive to virtue. This necessitates certain restrictions on the types of work citizens can engage in.
- Rejecting Certain Ways of Life
- Aristotle argues that citizens in the best regime should not live the life of a worker or merchant, as these professions are focused on material gain and are considered "ignoble" and contrary to the cultivation of virtue.
- The pursuit of virtue requires leisure and freedom from the necessity of daily labor, which means that citizens must avoid activities that distract them from political and moral excellence.
III. Exclusion of Farmers from Citizenship (1329a10-15)
- Citizens Should Not Be Farmers
- Aristotle expands this exclusion to include farmers, arguing that the life of a farmer, like that of a worker or merchant, does not allow for the necessary leisure required for the development of virtue and engagement in political life.
- In the best regime, citizens must have time for both the pursuit of virtue and participation in political activities, which farming does not afford.
- Leisure and Political Engagement
- The cultivation of virtue and political participation require not only time but also the intellectual and emotional energy that farming or other forms of manual labor do not permit.
- Therefore, citizens who contribute to the political life of the city must be free from the demands of farming and other labor-intensive tasks.
IV. The Division Between the Military and Deliberative Elements (1329a15-20)
- Key Roles in the City: Military and Deliberative Functions
- Aristotle identifies two critical elements of the city: the military element, which defends the city and enforces laws, and the deliberative element, which makes decisions about what is just and advantageous.
- He questions whether these roles should be assigned to different groups of people or to the same individuals, considering the best way to organize these functions in a virtuous city.
- A Dual Approach to Roles
- Aristotle suggests that, in some cases, the same individuals may hold both military and deliberative roles, but not simultaneously. He recognizes that each role is suited to different stages of life: youth is more suited to military service, while old age is more suited to deliberation and governance.
- This practical division aligns with the natural capacities of individuals at different ages, ensuring that the city is both well-defended and well-governed.
V. The Importance of Prudence and Power (1329a20-25)
- Prudence and Power as Age-Dependent
- The military role requires strength and vigor, characteristics of youth, while deliberation requires prudence, which develops with age and experience.
- Aristotle argues that the best regime must distribute these roles based on merit and natural ability, ensuring that those who are physically capable defend the city, while those with wisdom make decisions about justice and governance.
- The Relationship Between Power and Stability
- Importantly, Aristotle notes that those who hold military power are also those who ultimately hold the power to maintain or overthrow the regime. As such, it is critical that the military element be aligned with the city’s goals to ensure stability.
- By assigning both military and deliberative roles to the same individuals over time, the city ensures that those who defend it are also invested in its continued governance.
VI. The Role of Wealth and Property in the City (1329a25-30)
- The Necessity of Wealth for Citizens
- Aristotle addresses the need for wealth among citizens. Those who hold military and deliberative roles must have sufficient wealth to sustain themselves and their families without needing to engage in manual labor or trade.
- Wealth ensures that citizens have the leisure necessary for the pursuit of virtue and political engagement, further distinguishing them from the working classes.
- Exclusion of Workers from Citizenship
- Aristotle reiterates that workers, who are not craftsmen of virtue, do not share in the political life of the city. Only those who possess the capacity for virtue and leisure should be considered full citizens.
- This exclusion reflects Aristotle’s belief that happiness and virtue are central to citizenship, and those who are preoccupied with labor cannot fully participate in the best regime.
VII. The Role of Farmers and Slaves in the Best Regime (1329a30-35)
- Farmers as Slaves or Barbarians
- Since citizens in the best regime cannot be farmers, Aristotle suggests that farmers must either be slaves or non-Greek (barbarian) subjects. This would allow the citizens to focus on political life while ensuring that the necessary task of farming is still carried out.
- This division of labor reinforces the idea that certain roles in society are necessary but not compatible with the pursuit of virtue.
- Slavery and Social Structure
- In Aristotle’s ideal city, slaves and non-citizen laborers fulfill the essential economic roles that sustain the community, allowing citizens to dedicate themselves to higher pursuits like politics and the cultivation of virtue.
VIII. The Role of Priests in the Best Regime (1329a35-1329b5)
- Priesthood Reserved for Citizens
- Aristotle turns to the question of the priesthood, asserting that this role should not be filled by farmers or workers, but by citizens who are capable of properly honoring the gods.
- Since the best regime is one in which all aspects of life are aimed at virtue, it is fitting that only citizens, who are devoted to the pursuit of virtue, should serve as priests.
- Priesthood for the Elderly
- Aristotle proposes that older citizens, who are no longer suited for military service or active political life, should be assigned to priesthoods. This allows them to continue serving the city by fulfilling a spiritual role while also providing them with rest in their later years.
- Priesthood, then, becomes a way for older citizens to remain engaged in civic life while transitioning away from more physically demanding roles.
IX. Conclusion: The Structure and Parts of the City (1329b5-10)
- Summarizing the Parts of the City
- Aristotle concludes by summarizing the essential roles within the city: farmers, artisans, and laborers are necessary but are not part of the political body; the armed element and the deliberative element are central to the city’s governance.
- These groups must remain distinct, either by nature or by the stages of life, but all are essential for the functioning and self-sufficiency of the city.
- Civic Roles Divided by Turns
- Aristotle emphasizes that while different roles may be assigned to different groups, some roles, like military service and deliberation, should be shared by the same individuals over time. This ensures that the city’s governance is both just and effective.
- By dividing responsibilities based on age, merit, and capacity, the city achieves a balanced and virtuous political order.
Summary:
In Chapter 9 of Politics Book 7, Aristotle explores the question of how roles and responsibilities should be distributed within the best regime. He rejects the idea that all citizens should engage in manual labor or trade, arguing that such activities are incompatible with the pursuit of virtue and political participation. Instead, he proposes that citizens should be free from labor-intensive work and instead focus on military and deliberative roles, which are essential to the city's governance and defense. These roles should be divided by age, with younger citizens serving in the military and older citizens taking on deliberative and priestly duties. Aristotle also emphasizes the importance of wealth for citizens, as it ensures the leisure necessary for virtue. Ultimately, the best regime is one where citizens are dedicated to the pursuit of virtue, while non-citizens and slaves handle the essential but lower tasks of farming and labor.
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