Aristotles Politics

The following is an excerpt from Politics written by the Greek

philosopher Aristotle in 360 BCE. In this passage, Aristotle discusses
what makes good and bad governments.
The best and most just forms of government are those where either the
one, or the few, or the many govern with what is in the best interests of
all people in mind. Governments that rule with only their own interests
in mind, or with only the interests of a small minority of people in mind,
are perversions (corrupt and wrong). In a just State (country), all
citizens should be able to benefit from the actions of the government.
The form of just (good) government where one person rules is called a
kingship, and is made up of a wise and noble king. The form of just
government where more than one but still not many rule is called an
aristocracy and this is made up of the best men that have the best
interests of the people in mind. The good form of government where all
citizens run the government for the common interests of all is called a
constitutional democracy. However, the constitutional democracy is the
worst of the good forms of government. This is because one man or a
few can easily govern in a fair and just way; but as the number increases
it becomes more difficult for men to agree and to work together in an
honorable and virtuous (noble) way for the good of all.
Each just government has its own perversion (bad form). Tyranny is the
perversion of kingship where the king has only his own interests in
mind. Oligarchy is the perversion of aristocracy where the only the
interests of the rich are represented. Mob rule democracy is the

perversion of constitutional democracy where the poor and the ignorant

terrorize all others.
Source: Politics. Written by Aristotle in 360 BCE.

Platos Republic
The following is an excerpt from Platos The Republic, written in 380
BCE. In this passage, the famous Greek philosopher Plato explains his
idea for a just and fair government through a conversation between his
mentor Socrates and the philosopher Glaukon.
S: Let me tell you what is wrong with the governments of the world,
and what the simplest and best change is that will allow governments to
become more just, trustworthy, and fair.
G: Certainly
S: I want you to know that this change is very small, but it is not at all
easy to accomplish.
G: What is it?
S: This idea is likely to raise some eyebrows (be very controversial), but
Im going to say it anyways. Before I do though, you have to promise
not to drown out my idea with laughter.
G: I promise. Please proceed
S: Philosophers (wise men) must be kings, or the kings and rulers of the
world must have the spirit and power of philosophy. Political greatness
and wisdom must meet together in one person, and the current leaders
that desire to discriminate and oppress must be compelled (forced) to

stand aside. Until this new type of leader is born, cities will never have
rest from the evils of the kings and rulers of the world.
G: Socrates, what do you mean? You know that the words which you
have spoken will get you killed! Many people in very high positions of
power would grab any weapon that comes to hand and stab you to death
if they heard such a thing!
S: Still, I should try to offer this advice. I think that if there is any
chance for me to survive I must explain to the people what I mean when
I say that philosophers should rule the State.
G: So who is a philosopher?
S: Philosophers have a strong love for knowledge over ignorance and
opinion. They will never intentionally receive into their minds falsehood
(lies), and they will love only the truth. Indeed, is there anything more
closely related to wisdom than truth? Yet philosophers do not possess
this love for knowledge only. They possess this love for all the beings of
the earth. There is no part of humanity, greater or lesser, that they are
willing to reject (abandon). It will be discovered that some are born with
the nature and personality to be philosophers. These must be leaders in
the government. The others, no matter how rich their family or their
social class, are meant to be followers rather than leaders.
G: So someone that has a taste (enjoys) for every kind of knowledge,
and who is always curious to learn is a philosopher. And we must also
say that a philosopher is a lover, but not just a lover of wisdom, but a
lover of all people and things.
S: Yes, dear friend. And do not be angry with me for speaking the truth.
A man who really fights for justice must speak the truth even if he is to
survive for only a short time as a result.

Source: The Republic. Written by Plato in 380 BCE