Page 66 - DPOL201_WESTERN_POLITICAL_THOUGHT_ENGLISH

Western Political Thought

Notes The Idea or Form is in the thing (like the adult in the embryo), not outside. The destiny
of a thing is foretold by its hidden unrealized essence. Evolution proceeds as it does,
not because of material causes producing natural consequences, pushing them on ...
but by final causes pulling them ahead... . All the things that exist are directed toward
an end (which is potentially inside of them); their development is shaped by a purpose.
The world is gradually realized because of a transcendental Design, or call it Divine
Providence.
Aristotle realized that mechanism and purpose are complementary and inseparable aspects; in the
study of nature one must seek for a mechanical explanation or for the leading reason; sometimes
the mechanism is clearer, sometimes the reason. In his time practically no mechanism (for example,
a physiologic mechanism) was conceivable; hence, there remained only the teleological explanation.
Stability and revolution were important in Aristotle’s agenda of political ideals, having perceived
a constitution as containing the essence of a state. Aristotle discussed general causes of revolution
and then looked into the reasons why individual constitutions changed. Unlike Plato, Aristotle
perceived multiple reasons for revolutions, rather than simply a regime’s prominent deficiency.
He placed greater responsibility on the rulers to ensure stability and justice. The criterion of
stability was not majority support for a constitution, but the fact that no class or faction favoured
violent change.
Revolution could take the form of change in the constitution of a state, or the revolutionaries may
leave the constitution unchanged, and remain content with just accruing more power for themselves.
Revolution could make an oligarchy more or less oligarchic and a democracy more or less
democratic. It could be directed against a particular institution or a set of persons in a state
keeping the form of government intact. The general causes of revolutions were broadly categorized
into three.
1. Psychological motives or the state of mind.
2. The objectives in mind.
3. The occasions that gave rise to political upheaval and mutual strife.
The psychological factors were the desire for equality in an oligarchy, and inequality in a democracy.
The objectives in mind included profit, honour, insolence, fear, superiority in some form, contempt,
disproportionate increase in some part of the state, election intrigues, wilful negligence, neglect of
apparently insignificant changes, fear of opposites and dissimilarity of component parts of the state.
The occasions that gave rise to revolutionary changes were insolence, desire for profit and honour,
superiority, fear, contempt, and disproportionate increase in one part or element of the state.
The particular causes were analyzed in each individual constitution. In a democracy, the unchecked
licence given to demagogues, who attack the rich and instigate the masses, was the cause. It could
be remedied by granting the right to vote to the poor and the disadvantaged, giving them a stake
in the government. In an oligarchy, the oppression of the masses and the dissensions within the
ruling elite led to instability. In an aristocracy, the policy of narrowing the circle of government
was a cause of instability. Sedition arose when: (a) the rank and file of people were exalted by the
idea that they were just as worthy as their rulers; (b) when great men were dishonoured by those
in office; (c) when high-spirited individuals were excluded from honours; and (d) when some
within the governing class were poor and the others rich. Aristocracies were prone to change
when they deviated from the notion of justice, namely a balance between oligarchic and democratic
forces as delineated by the constitution.
An aristocracy might change into a democracy when the poor got the impression that they were
treated unfairly, compelling them to revolt. In a monarchy, sedition was usually due to fear,
contempt, and desire for fame, insults, hatred and desire by neighbouring states to extend their
boundaries.

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