Politics

In a modern context, aristocracy represents the social class with the greatest amount of wealth in a society, usually passed through generations via hereditary lands and titles. For Aristotle, an aristocracy is the greatest form of government which contributes to the common good. His definition outlines a governing body of a small group of people identified for their wealth, character/virtue, and leisure time.

In the context of Politics, “association” comes from the Greek word koinonia which translates as a “sharing” or “holding in common.”

Aristotle defines a democracy as a form of government in which the many have power over the few. Democracies are traditionally controlled by the lower-class masses. Aristotle suggests that democracies should utilize elements from other forms of government, including the election of representatives, to avoid instability.

A monarchy is defined as a government in which one person is the supreme ruler. Aristotle breaks down various forms of monarchies, or kingships, and emphasizes that good monarchies are not pure in form—instead, the just monarch governs for the good of all and can accept limits to his power, unlike the tyrant.

An oligarchy is a form of government in which a small group of people hold power, sometimes due to wealth or the seizure of power through licit or illicit means. This differs from an aristocracy due to the rigid qualifications surrounding aristocratic status, as oligarchs may or may not have a noble pedigree.

Polis is the Greek word for city. Aristotle uses the term to refer to any community of people with an over-arching governing constitution.

Politeia is the Greek word for constitution, or political thought. In the context of Aristotle’s work, a constitution represents how a governing body should be organized.