What according to Aristotle should be the nature and organisation of Ideal state?
Ans. Distinction from Plato
Aristotle sketches his best state in tradition of Greek writers to paint the picture of the Best state. In latter writings, however, he deviated to a large extent from his Ideal state. In Book III of his Politics' he admitted his failure to complete the account of the Idea! state. Fortunately it led him to mure fertile fields. Strictly speaking, there was no total abandonment of the Ideal state. It was described as what is known as his best practicable state Aristotle's best state is different from that of his Master Plato. Plato's was an Ideal state, which could not be achieved any where else than in the world of imagination. Ideal state of Aristotle can be attained everywhere and under every set of circumstances.
Life of Virtue is the Objective
Both for individuals and states the best and happy life is the life of virtue, It includes external goods sufficient for the performance of good actions. To quote Aristotle, "True happiness is more often found with those who are most highly cultivated in mind and character and have only a moderate share of external goods, than among those who possess external goods to a useless extent but are deficient in higher qualities." Here as elsewhere in The Politics' the subordination of politics to ethical purpose is too clear. After defining his objective or true end of the state, Aristotle built up a pictureof the kind oicity the state is likely to realise and of the education on which it must be founded. For this purpose he drew considerably on the Laws of Plato.
Criticism of Power as Good
Aristotle dismissed the widely held view that power is good in itself although it was on this assumption that most politics were conducted. He said, "Although in most cities, law may be said generally to be in a chaotic state, still if they aim at anything they aim at the maintenance of power." Again, "Warlike pursuits, though generally to be deemed honourable, arc not in supreme end of ail things out only a means, and the good law-giver should inquire how states may participate in the good life." Further he added, "A peaceful career, devoted to self-perfection through the harmonious and increasing activity of all the elements of political and social organisation is the true ideal and that which involves complete happiness for both slate and people."
Which Govt is the best?
In deciding which form of government is the best, Aristotle maintained that political institutions must correspond to the character and needs of the people concerned. Therefore, an ideal state is possible only in ideal conditions. So, he discussed what is the best attainable in actual practice or under given conditions. The ideal or absolute state should be ruled by the ideal virtue. According to Aristotle the best must rule If one manjs preeminent in virtue tbeform of government is royalty, otherwise it is pure aristocracy.
Three Kinds of State
Aristotle had studied over 150 constitutions, and it is upon the study of these that he pictures his state. This' vast knowledge made him all the more idealist. He concluded that the same type of the state cannot be the best everywhere and at all times. Because of this reason he did not give any categorical answer to the question as to what form of state is the best absolutely. Helaid down before his readers three kinds of states i.e. (1) which is the best absolutely, (2) which can be attained and attained by actual men; and (3) which is the best under a particular set of circumstances.
Principle of Golden Mean
Setting aside the consideration of the first type of state, Aristotle enters in the discussion of the second type, i.e. the state which can be actually attained. The criterion of goodness that Aristotle applied here is that of golden mean beside Plato's theory of virtue. In human society, extremes of wealth make people haughty, arrogant and unsubmissive. The extremes of property, on the other hand, make themselves, degraded and submissive. Thus a class which cannot obey can be only ruled despotically. The other class while knows not how to command must be ruled like slaves. There can be no real state where a population is divided into two classes of very rich and very poor.
The Stability Criterion
The middle class people do not p'ot against others, they are not themselves plotted against. They pass through file peacefully. A large middle class brings stability to the state. Stabitifyis the criterion. That constitution is the best which lasts the longest under the circumstances. In this sense, democracy is the best, where the poor greatly exceed the rich in number. Oligarchy is best where the superiority of the rich in resources and power compensates for their inferiority in members. That polity is best where the middle class ruler is clearly superior to all the best. Insuch a state the citizens have a moderate and sufficient property. Aristotle wanted maximum number of people to participate in the public life. He expected all his citizens to have civic virtues, political knowledge and high moral and intellectual qualifications as against Plato's small number of guardians. This, was Aristotle's best constitution on the average. It was the best attainable.
Order of Preference of State
Aristotle's order of preference of states is as follows: (1) Ideal Royalty, (2) Pure Aristocracy, (3) Mixed Aristocracy, (4) Polity, (5) most moderate democracy, (6) most moderate oligarchy, (7) the two intermediate varieties of Democracy and Oligarchy, and (8) Tyranny. PolÃty stands fourth in the above list of Aristotle's preference. However, he calls it is as the best practicable state. A mixed constitution embodies the best elements of each of the other forms and has stability and harmony.
DESIRABLE FEATURES OF THE STATE
Aristotle proceeded on to discuss the most desir able features of the city state, big population, size, topography, character of the people and so on, after determining the forms of the state which are best under different conditions and circumstances. In the determination of these, Aristotle applied his old formula of the 'golden mean."
1. Population: Aristotle did not give any definite size of population. However, he said that the state should be of a manageable size. His views on the size of population cannot apply to modern states. According to him, the citizens must know each other in order to judge and elect officers according to merit for good government.
(1) Optimum Theory- The population should not be so small as not to become even self-sufficing. Nor should it be too large as to become unmanageable. Obviously, what Aristotle approved of wasthe population of a city-state, not of a nation-state. His optimum theory of population visualized that the citizen body should be large enough to ensure its military and economic independence. But it should not be so large that it cannot be seen at one view.
(ii) Quantitative Limitation- A very populous state cannot be well governed. Aristotle, therefore, wanted that population growth must be checked. His eugenics, was less severer than that of Plato.It was nevertheless concerned with improving quality and limiting quantity. To quote Aristotle, "Let there be a law that no deformed child shall live, but where there are to many and the state of feeling is averse to the exposure of offspring, let abortion be provoked before sense and life have begun."
(iii) Marriage - According to Aristotle, marriage should take place at the age when the parents are most likely to have fine children This age is 18 for women and 37 for men. Marriage should take place in the winter at the season of the north wind. Procreation should cease when fathers reach 50 or 55. TJiose who are over athletic will not be the best parents. The temperament of an athlete is not suited to the life of a citizen, to health or to the procreation of *children,
(iv) Adultery- About adultery, Aristotle said, "Let it be held disgraceful if during the time of bearing children anything of the sort occurs. Let the guilty person be punished by a loss of their privileges in proportion to the offence."
2. Territory: Following are the criteria of territory:
(i) Self sufficient - Experience shows that very large cities cannot be very well governed. Hence the size of the city should be moderate. A large territory mars the natural beauty of state. It must be economically self-sufficing. It should be in such size and extent as may enable the inhabitants to live temperately and liberally in the enjoyment of leisure.
(ii) Hard to access by enemy and easy for ctizens state should be hard of access to the enemy but easy of access to its own inhabitants. It should be situated near the sea to procure what is necessary from abroad. But it should not be too near to sea to be attacked by others. It should stimulate commerce and sea faring class. It should not be unduly small enough to be taken in at a single view, and be such that it is just self-sufficient.
(iii) The City-Thus, the city should be fed, beautified and protected. Its economy should be planned and sensibly directed. It should face east, as east winds bring health. There should be an abundance of springs and fountains. The waste should be pure, strong alls are necessary. The public and religious buildings should be built on the highest spots.
(iv) Common meals Aristotle greatly admired Spartans. As in the city of Sparta, he wanted that there should be one common meal table, by taking meals together the citizens come to know each other. It promotes stability and unity of the state.
(v) Arrangement of Property-The best arrangement of property is, according to Aristotle, as follows: "The land must be divided into two parts, one public and the other privatc.half the public land, being appropriated to the service of the gods, the other used to defray the cost of the common meat; the private land should, of course, be fairly distributed among citizens, each citizen getting his share of land cultivating it with the help of slaves."
3. Character and classes of the people in the State:
According to Aristotle, the state should have a climate which produces high spirited and intelligent people like the Hellens. In character and ability the citizens Women are half of the free population: children grow up to be partners in the government of the slate (Aristotle 1979:37-38). The key figure was the head of the household, the father, who acted as a link between the political community and his household. Being a citizen and a full member of the polis, he was also the master of his house, his family and property. He exercised control over the household in three ways: as a husband over his wife, as a parent over his children, and as a master over his slaves. The founh component of a household was "acquisition". Each of the other three relationships, involving the head, required a different kind of ruling.
www.manipursana.in