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Unit 4: Aristotle’s Theory of Revolution

The remedy for preventing a revolution in a monarchy was by inculcating a spirit of obedience to Notes
law, especially in small matters, and to distrust charlatans and demagogues. In case of oligarchies
and aristocracies, the remedy was in ensuring that rulers were on good terms both with the civic
body and those who had constitutional rights. None would be raised too high above the level of
his fellow citizens, for inequalities of offices and honours, more than inequities in wealth, drive
men to rebellion. Small honours would have to be conferred over a long period of time, ensuring
that none became very influential in rapid succession. A magistrate would be appointed to keep
vigil over those who did not live in a manner that was in harmony with the spirit of the constitution.
In order to neutralize the consequences of a flourishing social group, the management of the state
could be given to those who were not doing so well, or by fusing the rich and the poor sections of
society, or by strengthening the middle class. A tyrant could prevent instability through a divide-
and-rule policy, encouraging class hatred between the rich and the poor, and creating a strong spy
system. He would have to appear to be religious, erect public works for the employment of the
poor, cut down on lavish expenses and observe conventional rites and practices. In his advice to
the tyrant, he anticipated Machiavelli.

What was the general cause for the revolution?

Aristotle pointed out that the source of revolutions and seditions was usually the image of the
government. Care would have to be taken to prevent offices from being used for personal gain. In
the interest of constitutional stability, three qualities were required for office-bearers in high
positions, and these were: (a) loyalty to the established constitution, (b) outstanding administrative
capacity, and (c) integrity of character, goodness and justice in forms. Repeatedly, he emphasized
on a fusion between oligarchic and democratic forces. He also recommended government
propaganda in education, respect for law even in small things, and justice in law and administration,
i.e. equality according to one’s contributions, as measures to prevent revolutions.
Self-Assessment

Choose the correct option:
1. By practical science Aristotle means
(i) Ethics and politics (ii) Study of poetry
(iii) Physics and Mathematics (iv) All of these
2. A natural slave’s chief use was of his
(i) Spirit (ii) Body (iii) Mind (iv) None of these
3. Oligarchy is a form of state rule by
(i) The best (ii) The richest (iii) Both (i) and (ii) (iv) None of these
4. Pythias is the name of Aristothe’s

(i) Daughter (ii) Friend (iii) Uncle (iv) None of these.

4.4 Summary
• For Aristotle, the true end of an individual was happiness, while the end of a state was self-
sufficiency, which could be achieved by moderation in its wealth, size, constitution and
ruling group. The best individual was one who had realized his nature. The best regime was
one which realized or had achieved the quintessence of its nature. There was an intimate link

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