Aristotle's constitutional state

 Introduction:

While analyzing the democratic and oligarchic states, Aristotle reached to an important conclusion. He said the best practicable state must be based on a balance of democratic, oligarchic principles. He called it polity or constitutional state. According to him, such a polity or constitutional state would not be an ideal state like that of Plato's ideal state, but it can rather be attainable.

How he derived this state?

According to Aristotle, there are two forces in society i.e. Quality and Quantity.

1. Quality: This force of Society includes: wealth, social position, education, etc. In fact, it is the oligarchic character of society.

2. Quantity: This includes the numbers and the claim of the mass of people in society. In fact, it is the democratic character of society.

He said that a state dominated by either force alone would be bad. The two forces can neither be removed nor ignored. It would be wise to form a state keeping a considerable balance between these two forces. In practice, such a state may be achieved by giving powers to the middle class which will insure a balance between oligarchy and democracy.

He has of the opinion that every community has its rich class, poor class, and middle class. The middle class comprises the means of the class structure. The rich only know how to command and the poor know how to obey. The rich carry in their mind the thoughts of the property while the poor are jealous and want to listen to a demagogue who promises the division of property and leads them toward revolution and in the end, brings no relief but tyranny to the poor. On the other hand, the middle class is not so poor to become a fool and not so rich to become factious.

Both Plato and Aristotle regard property as potential for disruption of society. Plato suggests the abolition of private property, while Aristotle wants to divide it to such an extent that contention over its possession may be greatly minimized which is only possible in the polity.

So basically polity of Aristotle is a mixed state or mixed constitution which keeps a considerable balance between oligarchy and democracy. Polity not only balances these two forces but mixes them. According to Aristotle, the middle class would not interfere with the administration, but as it is the class of businessmen and folk, it will keep an eye on those who administered the affairs.