aristotle on political change

8/19/2019 Aristotle on Political Change

1/23

1 4

Aristotle on Poliical Change

RA P

euins an othe ms of oitica can pa moen fesaning hem s h ita s was tu in th past howe aswe as he sent hs ancen Geeks who qath s ost f ian pitica nins as cncen thess with oitica chan

ecause i ge pominn i thi ime length tamnt o oitcachane eniay f ga ines to s occues soes Polis Vhe sisingl, his secn f t Pols has n eceie h e attenti wu see esee

When we gn suy hs ook, w suey n scinaing pins, t oea eacin s k o win in th ce f a cnsin ofics an a ass eai I ight use he to hghgh is esign

nceang upon hw istts instigan f pitcal chane ma eh scec a pacica, I att to enhance access t hs iuaing

aayses. hee s st soe asic ection n the cncpts connecwih itica change. Of sca cncen s he ation ica changswh he ss change iscss in he Phsis Pat 2 eas the scin ste's ense eination h causes otica change Pa 3u es he mes f penion f change. The ne pat iuis whyse ts so uch ation t monachy a h Bok V an

1 Th wll-kow commentaries u pn he entre Politics devte sm atetio to h

ook of o, hee s remakaly lttle eyond this in he secndary liteatue.2 Ev th bic tctur of Politics V has eluded sme of ts promien udent. Fr

x p, Bjmi Jowt's analyc abe f cnents in the cmee Ox rd

tio (d J A Smith and W. D Ross ) breaks the ok int ny t arts :

h t va chte he ett e Of Relutins and Ther Causes Geea"

whi h i Reoltion in Parcular S ate and H euion May be

voi . hi drtates the ex ent t hch Aristoe gies speca treatmen

ce o chg d reseaon f marchies Mrever, Jwet' s abe make

ae th the dcsin f he means f peseng cnstuons chaptes 8 and 9)

tai j to ritocces and plites whereas appie to a ut monarchy.E B so divide the k n the same two arts ( The Politics [Oxfrd, 1 46 ) . He hwever, conder chapers 8 and 9 hich trea mas f

esig cotitu tio merely a dression (p 203, . 1 ) .


2/23

324 R P

t elto to wa ecee. The cclig ecio eiew mai pot coe e lace o cge plica fe.

ONRA ON OF OIA HANG AS A Y OF HANG

Ptical ietiai eg i wt ite c pacica ciec.Paica ciee e e ame prkk ice eai ma pr(act) eea imta cet ittle itiie prx ommaig o) a om cage mtbo) motio kn) (ee ENI 4VI 2 . 53a- X . . a l 3. a Po 5a - . it aotecica ee prx ie m octi mtio ecae ulie theit t a poce o tait twa me eteal e. Prx heecie f iiua clece chaacte moa hait; itce

ae cwad j o j ac. oeel tca chage wll ot·

geeal e prx the mt e ee a ct ot ee the omlelt f Polc chage llow m iptio of a eo pae oflie a ct i cmmt wea px he ctalatio f omm of mol o potc Sce paccl cece am ltimael tgeg goo acio te th chg chge ot mai opicNeethe otcal chge majo cce ecae chge ccilaect th coto co ttema utag he caue ofpoltc ch l mo cle thg i w aci of wdig o

eia e chg o ectg c eThe tm totle to me hi ma toc i oo V mtbo, i h

geea w che th Phy, d we a d it qie el topl c ale of chge t e cae litical cage I Phys l the a m kd o chge i u tace (geei etcto) qlt (lteto) i qti (gw o dimuto) a plc (lcomot) . Sima the Potc tee ae eea i caghe mot tkg i plitical cage ae te i wich the

o dscsso d ds o h ss o hs ds co s m cl "a sos Maphi IX Ai hiphy (98 16' Thogh ocl chg o h m o om oc co som sgm oh olo m co o mod h codos o h m o codom h comm d so sg olc chg Th co o ha o h olo s h o o c s ss osc S m cocsod o 8 ow Asol so ss h m ki i h ds o s ma o hosodg v ms o ssgs whch h dcs hs ma sc (

1 l d 2 l 2l & ) W lso o h ma s o lkd wh sdo i hs s h cs cs h so o chg mos coc oh ssm s h whch s s s o h coscos coc o vosms o c comm Asol howv cogs h ossb y ohg wo so s l l 4 Es gos so s o cm hado h h chg s h m oc o oo sc h vs Asoo coc wh ds cs h wh chg ( h a huh a a

[Loo 96 48 I shll hv mo o s o ai ow


3/23

E N P N E 32

uity hift metely om oe ot o cotituio to aoher. hisradia hage rmls geei o etcio ate tha, ay ateatio6

u al pliia chags ar so daeta Aiotle ha to oidr thpoiil ity of hags hh eey oe o a cottio is ateedr a grup me ake temeve the oce o a etig ttutio

ihut thee hagig t o a cottutio ecoes ra r tighteed that it i a ore o e exee itace o te ot coutio it a e l l l5 ) . Ay f tee e daeta chage might e eed o peces o mot othe t gee o etucio7

Plal ag carl cove ay iie Moeove cge macur pur uiteay c he a g he eectivey loeth property quaicatio ce Fo e c ee the oeer " revuti a iaoiate taai Aitte' chageW d to etict evoo to ce o ee c uccee i

aetal cagig the coitio itoe evidety ea tooroadly f pssi ids o chage to ca hem a evotio

h thr mai tem i Pls V, o edito hic mght ee evere proisig, i ao ot do el evoti Sass rfrs to adpte r r disosito to ite that my o ay ot e i oitcahage ee 24 e) W ou eict evoto'ojut thoe caef et a rsut i ajor cottuoal chage. As Arittl uetas or th corrspodig ve coict etee divia awel a r cla aagis (ee 302a9; 4 32 l-2 28, ad 3 1-2 ) W shd hardly ay "evoutio to ite eee idiviuas hsi doe t appear tha Aristot ha ay ecic em ha e calrelui i ccer s the oaet eame of th poie ype o

6 rm h vr sr f k V Arse cns h wd r desrcn hra)wh abl 1 30 22 ). s vd m 3 1276 h sm chnges hgehe ols cmll st gshg ths d knds icl chngs hg lkng hm

h s spcs hscl chge w hld on h ossbl qsnngWh s cnn h becs he reeks ackd lcl rs" o h mdo ht th h n w chn cy exce by sd b mlngnlwl ms o cre wer rcs Wheee Arses Anlyss f h o Pl rgge can ju Ph, 72 95 1 . 1 e rs n vl eds M e and stot m w r mn knds chaes sds hse nvvn sed hsss (s V 1 0 l 3 and 7), h hese are rr res l V. Aso ttn ll he ssbe f chn aks s se wy wrdddssg dcly l ds s bok, s ha Arsolevts mss h che he csn he s sensly se( il lal The [xrd 9 se 3 ad 3) When r exmp am lgrch s med wd er n rder rs dgos o o h lssr srs f che ad rdcal sbsanal chg hss lgcll q plsbl n ges hweer mke he mr sersomn th As's sggsns re n rsc snce h xrmecnstns lkl cce se esres h wld mer hep 14 W hs bew


4/23

26 RONLD PLANSKY

plcal cage, wth pacula atteto o thoe toueome cae

olvg sedtion .8

Te aay cage te hyis a e o e u ta te aaoo epoye ee m o cge tot e ee cloe te mapipe chage uch, a we al ee ow elp t ay

ca e ca eecto sis &7 eeop ee pcpe o

ce m atte a pvato of m age occu we omeueyg atte ae o a ew m Fo exampe woo may e apet c wee wood mae ad te couato of the cha e. a ca mght e pate a ew colo o moe to a deeoat wc cae he ca te ate whc uegoe chage coo ce To the exte potca cae geue chge, te tdacto accou o chage mut appy to t, tou tt e melf doe ote o tate t explcty

It og o coceve the polieia ctuo o erm te t eceed b the atte o e po ctytte tte pmly the aalae cae o eo the poo, c, welo, uou , ec ad ecoal the phyca e ee o eccal eelopmet, a o o of he commy ee ep VII o opulao a mattea VII 5 eoy I cotg e pacla pol, e cottuoge e phyca ad echcal pobe, aae te cae of cze a tuto of potca powe ejo ete atte e hecouity ach ca ca mae a cla to met a poto of omce

he c ue o he weat, e poo ue o the ee tu, the vtuou dueto e goode e cottuto xe te oe eac c ay, thuoeg te commuty a copg t . Sce tute jutce tote aocao acco to me (ENV 1 1 a25-9; ad PlI I 9 280 & V l l a25- , e cotuo ee a the pmaeamet of j tce

8 Fo susso o t mg o t tm Asotls Aysso Ntu o Poltl tuggl y ommts g so to outow tt s ot tt t sstl tu o s t us o olnen tt t must lys nol goups (pp 1 49 1 5 l luttlynoss st o" s t est toug mpt tslto o s l so sesition" Bt 's comnt tt t cls o stons w constue emng o t o [] s on t w in o l s nohnstly comp ( 159 my ston I ms tt ts eos mtts w o not sing om t s poyot Y ns ht t pnomn o ton sputs nowdyto t my suly wog

ltos om t l ulss otws t os o Jow int Oxfrd Wk Al ld Enlh s J A Smt D Ross9 Sie ps ke ets s ptl see (see EN 1 2-3 d Met. VI. I ) ,isot m y o toung to xpltly s oos om oacien into p raal cotx ts 10 This sms o b o susson p ening Poltics I I I . S lso, themployment of eidos at .3. 1 276b l-9 nd hul at VI .4. 325b3265.


5/23

RITE IC HG 32

Thugh nly imlct n Arsle's ougt, hs aayss f he lis intfm and maer is nlightenig. It sould adly surprise us tha Arstle,a Nema pin ou, wa awae of t ole o oial onitn" ha arehe bakgn r e cition. 1 1 Scal coiin ll nde e a" muniy Ti mater peent nan t e

niun tha may nm If iae te weathy ca men re litically nieren r vry weak, e woul be litle cance r acheen ligaccal conttu But oug te matter tu e coran he m, nc te titu to i i pla e ecprocally agrea mac un e clae of cizen of e way life t ha aned . The niutn tend t bitute te citzen t certain me flfe.

Wee m an mattr e comptible tere ou be we migtpe, a hapy union an a lage egee f abliy et poiical cange

cre rahe eqently n e Gee cie n e geneal eplnanhul evienly be ncmaibiy f he m wth he matte. ite te intial ctai f e mtter o t mati the cnitu ante impac the coituton in turn hape te mae te mae may eecalcirnt o he m eem even lielier ecaue uma mpiee mat ahe tan me oganic o unnteligen rganc aeial

Humn mae ugment at te apppane e cntuin Ntonly en the cnttun i ct unut to aiu clae ciien al whe t merey peeie a uut eple ner r cnge

he eent cnu n aie bcaue f e een, ypcally eneou, eemnain a i . l a2 Ong

1 1 Nwmn stts In tcng t consttton to soc contons Asotl gsxplc cgnton to n mpotnt tt wc Plt tnly nt cognwt l clnss og t cts wc pont to t w m nog ( . Nwmn ii f i Ox 18819 vol p wmnsspposton t Plt s lss cl thn Asttl s ctnly sl not estss n t Rpuic n t pop ttoy n so on n vn mo cnlly t

pop cton to pp t ct zns t consttton t sly Astotl st lv to t mpnc o socl contns

T s o ottn mks on sc los Hnn Ant s scsson ncp o Human ndiin Ccg 1 958) . S te contns t scogn t pv sp n t plc spee t tt t m o socl s mc lt lopmnt Ant's mks my ntestngly wt oseo Kl Pny n stot scves t ony pnt n rimiiv haiand Md nmi Goge ltn N ok 19] , pp. 1 15 Polnylvs soc conomc sp o l ny ecms sem om otsps n cnt tms Nvtss he gs tht stote cl gsp oconomc ssnts ls Moss I Fnley Astotl n conmc Anysspnt n n i vol pp 158 Astotls wnss o pcl clctnc o mns s sly st yPlto S g a l 1 stotl sys ot pts [ects n olgcs] wn t s nt gonmnt os not cco t pconcv s st p volt 1 1 9 lgn stsss t mptnc o t scv sns onstc (i iia T p 1 2 1 )


6/23

32 N.0 .N

stc ma t s al alwas stcatio i a pliiachag cla e sing s - a a lass, is caly a scai e g

ca a lgac a ic g ey a

s asluly s 1 a ma, aaly lai, appal o i sat ad contd tha ig all eally ea hl ae a a sa i lsi he mi a t te ligac co a s y ae weal n hs spc les tem to a nal ha i e lsi 3 l a 3 Sion ais wh ts casss cme ise i s ae i te cmiy 1 a39 Y itoe a la ii wic ol ly t n t s a al as ig claim t ialy, aly, spi i ue

la3 e us ata h omeha a e apo al wh ga to jsic Sic h a spi m the agf dmcas tha a a al cas al a qall e lss om tsc a th agum of th oigas ta s me ease theha ath iths conotaon wit e h a l ioy i s t quali B ing to h i a e ihlclam, Asotl cects cmm eaing a si a pissasm wit amt t s agast ais a

ommTs agumns a m a aamic is, eac

a lgc occp ctal ti Atl aalyi I se Aistl's aass o th al pssi yp si a mous sspis th ai d to t ga es i att tha consttu ms oganz se I 3 l 22 a cosongy s cis jsc i I sle ietis ma nds of dcac a ligachy as i oopais e a isusi ag aageal cgp cacy an iga e s ay galy oe as m s f mcay a ga 10 1312 an 130a16 nc se to consti a aa

To t y ojction tt ong wit ns n wt Aistot ognizstu s uci t cto n omposition o t onsttutions migt pointout tt itu ony ongs t t w so Aistot is pp to sp o s tociss oigic" n s n to simi socs o ptu s oigiss

I067 T ituous ing so w not gn sigint soucs o

4 I Moo wt most popl usuly to s stocy isn just mxtu of moy nd oigcy t lns mo tod ltt_ I 6 . oug Aistol n oss sgt o t p o itu ostiu tns h aso has oasion to mp hasz th otr p rincip ls of ath and numb s.H sms s w s s, to pp it on of t gt ionis o p oiti i mu te

_�tn uon y Roussu in s Fir Disoue, tt s pop coms mo

sop stcaed the role of virtue n its onstituion tens to beome smalle.


7/23

ARISTOLE N POC 3

ga a he hanges ha ars n an of he onuons Thoe epag hange n hee wo onon wl ao e appaleeewee

o ony ae dema and olgach somehow ompoe f he oheun, u aso hese wo consttons a domnan n ole

me e ae, Hee [nce eqals n eedom sek genera eualy aupe wealh k hemelves oh of peror] ee ae wpa f goeme , demora an olgarch; r good aue ae are, u wealh and e stats a more ommon" ( 3 3� a l , Jowe ans s gtl ated asratons of the oal laeoe wad wo knd of coston Astotles awanes of socao oue o h ognzance ofsoca hfs hough solea u h oal oncounes and s nooros r malgng he woho hoy - he aer n Pc 9 45 b ha por s me phloo

pha and eos han hstor he ds have some ense of Gekhoy Aoe an see a dreon n he chang n socal ondon, oae, wh whh aee hae o coe

Thoughou he Potc role has caon o oe hages n ware,mane of aung he eenal of lfe, he ze e, and phtan f dvual (ee, eg , II 6 7a { 6, 5 6, V , 3a , l ab, 3 , V5 5al -34, V 4 33, a Suh hage mea a haged a ua e may la role' ene of hs o, f we eur he aal hage e f and maer

ae a u an undego hange, a nehe an rm (ee Mt.V I ather he ooe of r ad maer ha aualy me e wee, ae a reave e ae, oe, is awaea o a pe towad m So we wod ate ag a ha, he cha ur ae hange uh a mng oag . There hu hghe an lowerlee mater loo, one, and ch

1 5 Astol must drid hi toy w t at i undtod as· he choicle fndiua l vets (se 9. 1 45 b67) fr th es cod y be viewe b hm

as nvdual h pp nings reulting fm umeu ccdtal cj unc ion s nd so nt

subj o cen tc s tudy ( Met. VI 2 ab out th apprrats f ccidn

c ietc stuy) Hece v t tt tul ured th pt, wic we

suos tng mattr f ty tr ttt k�wl?g (g. ct'

eh m pion in th n i 99 BC) Arttl wl r gr, tl unc nd h fr nt b wg. Nt th g b t

hch tu satmt c b uj w, Attl wld

asse nivius bu kn r gy jt f kwldg fr ly ts

ha on-acdnta cu My mt, wh ctrt thing d t intl wh e du t nccidtal , g tt x A i tt l '

insenc upn u ch ging bjt kwld t t t iv by J Hitik i h s ssay "T Tuth d Kg ttl Oth Gk Ph ph r pn in Koldg ad the Known (Ddrt, 1 974) , 5079, sp pp 82.

Raymond Wel n "Ars l ' Vw f t y At�cles .o� Arstole ( 1 977) , . 2 pp. 202-3 smlarly stesse h i mtnce of gnzab1y


8/23

OLD OLSKY

homgeneou tisue ae lwelevel matte thn the ogn an oy thcompe see A ) ate itelf can then change i n c comt e hee i me mae elw i which emi he aing n a new mTh i hw we may undetand change in the socal cnion a ae thacgn he i hile he aailale clae ciien ae mae

the m ha i the coniuon, hi matte telf, eng compie, ma bin ce changehe ae a cy s epecally liae o change he ean indicaed

ee tha humans pncipal comise the matte of the cy ndeduch me than inganic mae and een me han ganic mateialwich lack man ntellectual and emotonal lfe, the mate f plitalmmniie emis hange Wheea ling hng undeg patens ofmateial change eg eptiles o nects cee though he stage odevelopment an mammal gn us o antles the human mateal f h

pitca cmmuniy unegos chane of moe aied so which need nohave a ente nual taectoyThe m mpoan change in the human maeial a cmmniy take

lace when he goal an dese o pa o he whe ppulain aeansme stte sw ths ocug n the cte of hs day ee, egI . 5 22� . he ocal sne was changng hgh he if neople ees Thse shfts cete ontons uch ha emcacy nligachy athe han the olde pcal ms peale Wha moethee emcace an olgchs ed tow exemes and at h

exeme emcac an lgh ae tpe f tanne yannes thpoo ich ee e g V. 2 . -2 V4 22a - .Due hen t change n the soal bacgound of the conttutin, stoleecogni the cniutin wee changng wad m ha wee deuctv o the consttutons themseles

totle s not as some have suposed olu o he ange to thGee p n hs me Cal eadng of the ois shw him acueawae o the dnge t s cntnue exstnce sotle nee o boncened wh w eel o change change n he mte ocalcondn he constton and he paallel change in he m o

1 A wss o s to ts ss tt s wss o t toso g outs toug wout t w t su sto s o setos o us s uu to Astotl Com t Pto us s. 81 7 So goo suot s ots ous 9 1 9 1: O g o toug tu om mst f m t g u goveet but oe ttets to pus te ples o ete to w g b sp g gv d d b vg o ll ."W so's Vw o Hsto pp 1 15 lso mp szs t mt ss u oo Asot's vw o Gk hstoy, though W ss to mt hemateial fs oo exlusivey to eonomis. In additn Wei thinks Aritole mucm os I supos ou t o s u to o s ro f thoga p rogrs .


9/23

ARSTOTE ON POITCA H 33

cottto Bh levels o chag oa eteme Ths much of theteatme f pca cage s ea a osto f ho to el th thesocial chages tha have ee the backgo te ols ad heae itsve eece o a, a ea i Book V ( 1 1 3 3a38 hebac stato Pe f of e to ot te pol

ut Arstotle oe p he a sgle teme pate f tocal chage Su o ctto a te evtal chge tathe ptcua so of csttto t e spe o t eecto chge i me dect o etematve of b o e al upote m hat l as So o sce o ass a hiocal eof pltcal chage Moeve gv h h ae so ma Geek cte aso ma posb at a oo te sttesma a tl actclpolica scece m pep v vt Astole sces potca chage of al h covab pes eth moe le

lkel h o ve s k cags sctve to cos a ha bee cate ma o he costtos ca be vee amtues of te thes so that aogues me chage t e place

o opmstc Atoe bo ses cg eg heGee ces? Mlg sggets hat Asotle athe ave pog hecol g eteme emocrat ogach to ace moeag e

h eem peme I th eoe, that he k i wrte emcat lgarch themeves rathe tha steme I beleveAstl sme alog ve If t

o, Aotle' epeate empas po the jutce o vrtuous me brggabut cha aks o cbe mtace (see, eg 1 30 a3b 3 33b l 5, 1 3b5) The vtou we lea, ae he mt ed egagg edo t thoe le capabe oig ecaue f imitedmbe a pw We combe th the paage dicatg thtthe ac mea to ect chage cttt are ce a eruo(ve moe blutl ame ad 30 8 w ae left to upos thatol wee the vrt the te taeme, able t peuae the bul of thepopuato mght the maag agecale chage Thi eem a dmapect the lae, hscte ctes f Astle' a Asie om tremte osbly, thee he chace that a olgeable tatema mght

18 g Aole' Polical Teo, 19 The vr man can ardly b encragd nga n ad r rc age co lgh o Ar ' lar cmm a rer o dcend cmln em b arach h yran 00). Mreverhg Aroe w i ha my mg b erddrmly 4 0b 7) h al gg nkely 1 07b{1 083) T w mg o Ar acknwld h rhe do evrs b dcrg a e H a bn orr polcae Tere here l rgm r h rory e cmlve h c c re re q med rc r gc cc ic Hwver eeao o ol m crca o e con obyo coemlav l


10/23

33 R PY

elliad a som poin n h coe of a oical change o ha han dc i pomingly Aioe, hle hadly sanguie a hpopec peng h G ol y eecing he mdicas whichcold afegad , nvhss do wha he can o eu he saeman odo wha posl (S h pa elw

T C USS OF POLITICL C

We have aady sen some of h cmpicain f Ale uec: hachange may e oal o mey li le mveme he pliicalconiion and ha hman as ma pos exa dcly We have asonoed om ndaon o mplaon ha dmocacy and ligachy ae na ss h mods of h oh onsuons Le s now ace Asol

am a a scen aoun o polal changeScenc amn of polcal cang, j a f any ic, eies hah anon o ass ad pcple , Aisle h we y noh gasp h auss o ha o nn I addo, sciece, aoppod o pn, qs ha h cas gasd e uivea ahha paca (, g, Met. I Comnng hee pis, we asceainha hee o gnn aal noledge f pca chage i msu a s of ual cau ha s manageale a ine onmos s h lmnas h possly of nowdge ve o

ul us h, ho, mus h s of cae e few o msss h phnomna o n, and h sasma yg udesadand dal ih h ld ll llqppd o d so To ew picle edo oo gal and onsqnly pooly adaped apicain cceas Sh conn a no, f ose, pcua o he dy f cahang, hy ae pssng he d o h complxy he uec

h annonced ogaaon of Aiol amn o he picpe ofal hang s no ass ha apply nvealy ad hen cases haaply mo paculaly ( 1 0al , 4 1 04, an 5 4 20) hs dvsion hold pmi a am ha s comphnsve ye applcaleo coce ca Bu ha Asole mans y he gea an pacacaes of change is osy amigos A cause mgh e uiva aa hee snse ( i applie o a yps of chage (2 appes eveyype couo and ) i api maiy o e f changes consuion ah han o nanc of hs Sn ( s specallyeva sinc evn h aca caue f chage wil aly apy he change o cni a a ye I ega eses ( a 2 sme

cena hav oo ucly amd Aioe means l) a u ame A analysis ecaue h spped caue f a chage no y evey ca of change xample, Newma cmpai aupa i le e f genea cae

!he s f cses stais ad cs chage here gve seemsncomp ete. Oher causes b esdes he seve o eleve hee meioed ap pea o


11/23

RSTOLE LCA GE 333

disclse teselves we istte eeds in cc 7 d w th eccsttuti sepey . Te ehrw f igarch ies, ist y te degy sme te l rcs ( 3022 .) by sedt d uiedlhs ( I 05b 39 . ) can easiy e brt de ay e elve ads.2

But th mi take Newmn thinks he fnds, were Astotle to sppose unvrs cau o set of css a pot c hnges, wld be evengeatr than Nwmn ecognzs. the en of te whoe discun of thec o cag (7 . 30 7 -25 comp 3 1 2 a49} , Astotlucs that ptc chgs ma th to t o xtlcu. H mas tht potca chags m pcptt stutos tra to cottutos - th· cs wo b pca tra vwh xta s s a w occso- po of ctz d so cott to movmt chg - o b om xt copso

(sch wh th Athas mposg moccs th Sptolgarche upon conqueed cts). Ths distincton nto intenl n exte- cas of chag vas that ost Astots attto vot to th t causs hs o act t ga cass /cosdg. Sc t o t s cla tht thr c o comptyvrsal cau o ll pltcal cag mattr how cprhsv aprcp w ca ta potcl chags, thr wll alwa thucvr pst o tota tr sc cag. vw hall s tt Asttl caot al v com up wt a comprhsv

gra cas l tl potcal cag. Rth h arv at mot t sg cau a stacs o to (s l . 3 29}

Rath tha adlg Arstot wth th mstak of pog h ha v cau st o css o al pltc chag, a t t wth hactual pojct, t sm mot apt to vw th uva cas ofchag appyg uvrsall t th cttt, ., ur (2) aovUvrl" cau ar uc cau ty prat vrl , t al, thk f cottuts whra th partcular s o cttu t may ch

al hav cas cag pca to t k

Ev mr accurttatd, I suggt t vl cass o chg prt boh mcrcs

ad lgach. Hc gv that th thr costtto ar arly so th, thy oprat ach of th oth ks of cttt. Soothr cau o chg , howv r spcl mpotat th mcrac (ad th cos rat costttos g, oty) or o

0 Nwm h ii f Ai, l. p 261 sl e e tt te lety iscussi uesl iual causs o e o metely iecte t aial ms cst utis w a saved the e the it seems ee o ulieyAsttle suppose hmself t ae ses iesa i e sese tht ty ple eery as o ae 2 mpae ula Ai ia The I l9


12/23

334 D AK

ci o clo lt kin, e tocc 3022- ience my ueion m e un n Aitol uent ue in hi ccout ot ge cue o illuttn wit intce h ecy nligchy e . , 1 302 l 9 tcim ue i oth ligchy emoccy], 29, 4l 303 1

Thu

h u th Atotl pmily me y uiel eel cue chge cu tt pp lly to te iu ctituti, t i nethel t ce tt hi oe tee h ecue m the tht ppl t lmt ll ce chnge ey ce itn to cue tt ppl o w c i oul e ice cuetht opee in mo tp o ont tuton kel o ppy to me ce ce When w eme Atotle unl cu ce, the ei nto oup te t in u on u witin it , the ecnwo n te t e on c t on ul ppy

mot w o l ot o n o n te econ oup, ince twpbl ppl enel to mn ce he ti cl cue m umeou, o ech pp ge ol me ce eemplule tt Attle letel lp hi icui wih theeou leel o gnli in mi o tt cn ce cpeheien (n te en o toucin on ne concei ouce chgewle tnn pplbit ( e ng o te geet o the cue

The thee ts o eel cu opete i pltcl chge t Atot b t potio e pe wh ee

cng, t oc cto pomptin chne e tte thi thuFo w mut n w t o s ht ie ie to e tnn wt oje w tl t e the i politiclo n on mon t ctien (2 l 302222 ch t ltl lt Suc pnpl t e u i ee cteout ntul cene whe Atotl eek t ize he c ie n. mot tkn t i et 3 22- cpe 0 3682 of t enn motnl poe

ome tetn plll t tt w n h i thPt

Aitte ugge mut conie me mn o toe wh eel th mt the o po t whm t eced, n te tin tht occi it mi it niul em nlogu to ton n cit Seitn my e ikeneto n inene colce pion Much pion miton m cue ction eiti m eect cllecie etpie htu i pliticl cnge. Aittl h eil etwee eiti chge ecue eii te, t lw, ie i he icu cne An u moon m e ugt o, ie,

23 Nm o t ihp th Poiis lyi to t p o hr V 3 1 1 46 5 Polics ofAsole ol v I p


13/23

AR LE N P CHANGE 335

edieced, o ha h deds he mgh caus ae esied o iproved oediion migh cooled o peen usisco polica chage

Sinc ange produced hough sdion is h kind o mo conc,Aioe penaion o he cuses coiug o cage peain minhoug no xcluivey, o edion In he passage quoed rig aove i i

viden ha edi ion picipa conce. he disposiion reading men popeing hem oad sediio i e see of ncompibi i heoniuion o ma and m ha s, some indviduas o goup pceivediiuive injuie in e commu he eeve he araemen of honiuion oe no hos rned b i In h dispoiion people aeipe r hange Since hoe h pon ecome ivolved in hange semaccoding o Aio, o hve im h he ce e of as isomeho unju, he ave a pe o usicio hae Aioe shee k o xp se om hs e cmm

al enegade and ans n usif eir diiou aciv. Whe, exampe, ou of coemp e aii of he peen coniuion o esisan a ac o due o o of ese o co of pog spedg a goup ofmen aemp an iega akoe, i seem jus moe o is iigaos.Whe on he viuous m have h l compeng goud edoohe are uniky o conide hemseve so acking in viue ha h oughno gage in diion. Since he disposiion ng ange or ediion isual he ne o injue in dibuon in h ommuniy, hi mbe mo genera a h cause operaive in change Were men

coiou e o o chae he own cnsiuion, hi h undelyigmoiaing ource. Hence i i mos essnial he aeman o grap hiso praie caue

he ex o o cuse Asoe co is no ingu bu an enaeor poib comined pair ence i pai canno hav e generaliy o hecaue u condeed T , : he ke of hich men iniia or puuepoiica change Aisoe names a gain o honor, iher r heeve oohr clo o hem and eie o obain he ain or hnor or o ei heo 2 302a3 Asoe does no nm a he end he chnge heediiou pa aims o bin ou , uch as ne kin of cnuion, buh abou which ciie o h disenanched fee dgunle nd hahey hope o obain hemse o avoid h mae aou wic mndeeo he ense of injuice hu appea o educ o u o gai o honrWhy hee o

4 totl osrs ll cns h rs l m as b vl m lrly

dio osos dlrt cl chs Thr r ls howv t·tol poltcl hs 6066). Th n l sed lds th ttmt tortro t cottto ms t xln Arsls dtcto tck oisi om do sis . 10225 d s wm mmt Pl f Aile vol V 24). Osrv dd t th dtcto bt sasd rsort to rms 0282.


14/23

33 RONAD PLNSKY

What can e dstted te comnt y the estng cntuton popet o honos o aous sot Vtue, howee, and othe uch goodsae o mla mate whch the commuty e een taemp o make poo hem Theee when me eemie hatthe pesen onttton s unjut, t s aout the dut popee

ad hono ha he conclde th. Wee een ous men undeteedon, he wold do so ecaue te detemne that thee s a ydtuo hono uch a oce dsho uch a puhmenAotle el hadly omatcg the ojecte o he eengpolcal change. Snce e ends Astotle ts ae toe that ente nto menseectons aout justce t shold e edent tat hee ae coscouojecte leadng to ed, and Aotle hmel a tha hee ae heed he sake o whch men egage n dto 3. 3232 an .

The td and nal goup o geneal caue o nteal pot ca changes o

sedton ae moe specc pecptatng causs. Aotle lt een causewhch hae ome te o th peo two goups o cau ecause theyequenly lead to te pecepton o jst ce an omeme the puut o thejece o gan o hono But thee a alo ome othe caes ngghe tota n hi th goup p o at east eleen whch ma lea t changewthout sedton see 3.13al3 o wthout the pceptn o njustceaout enmty ate than njstce ledng to change, see elw Ateh conde caues whch ma appy o poca change ough autethe deeate o accentall.

The eleen named caue pooe change n ao wa Wha hode o patca teet to us s te estance th dscuo so mncause sows to an eductostc accont of change and seon Astotlewl not atte em to an inge iqtou caue a cetan t alw cas, ut the cloe he gets o a sngle explanan he emakaleemphas on the oe o ue o jce n e Whle al o thempotance of wat we would cal economc cos, Atotl locate othecause hat e ees gu as pomnentl, sch s tue nd hono Aden n ung gan he econe ee ways n wich t peae ans nclude n oth te ecod and thd ca o caue A a meme o theecond gou, ga he e ojecte sog men ne eton,weeas a a caus n he d oup t occaons edton no much node tha mn ma gan themeles o ad lo ut ecaue he aeannoed a the pectacle o ohe men gang hey eek o o

(stots yss o th Nu o Pot tu p 1)supposs tht th ot o to g oy s uto oho pot o h s o y oo so to mt ths obtv soaoy ho r t s y tht som prost tyts orhs xt gn motr o p otl h byod h thy ly v rsei o


15/23

RI TE N P HGE 337

muc t impve thei w dig i the cal fwealt a t pu n end ta iuati wch dividal g g uiy

A the tikg dati f ttl appeciati f te rry fcue f cage i i dicui f h dc amg e ee f cty may cue te t ll ut ag thele I hi al multi

f te pit Aittle :

a in war h n a c g al a brak rgn ca f c lg a a bah h h gra ii c a f r a i; nx ha f walh a ; a r a aaic n garr l f whic i rc f ac 3 303b 2 )

ite cd i t t e itcl

cct that ca i it xpaat d h td f hua te atagiti twd th ig t Ht ad ge e tpuce pliial ayh Ral d h die he cly ucet be dametal uce f ct i b vii pevet y eayptimm au vrcig ltca cct hugh ipvet iceti ee f lfe uc a he e eve ututely tughchevg jutce

Aritte l icue cau f cag pecl y mpr e teeveal tuti 7) Se f h ue e g te geeral

ce ug the b puia t f titu WatAritte ccetrt up a th peia caue pome i cg ieh f the cttuti Thi cu the cttuti idivuly givete r f paticlity h tate f cue Oe ig t bevei t ne f te ctuti age py i e ecn bu echay cg v pi dicti

Deggu a he pia c f hag i ecacy By ttgthe ealh agai de hy au hag it ligcy eeit tyny if f t ca a a ud t ap me my

h y w iti w ae d daggu i tay me rtta htca . 3a7-28). I Ai time th rdtaldecrcie wre tdg t chage t e extre demcac i which

2 A I ra 3. l 32b 4 A i ag a cn rarg hnr lar ha wch h ak ga a a ca ss. Wh rf b -2 hl an big hr h a a hl a h k hr r h cn k f a f

ti whra hn h ar c wih h hr hr i hhr la a f r hag a a 27 l n a n h a a grrn ir an 3 l 303 a bliain Rahaal ha hai h gica ai ch f ial nc k c g a c Hsa, 9 90


16/23

338 RND NKY

peop orad above law due in ar uy rocedurs r l lioces 5 305a232) . ligacy as seeal pimay sorcs of cg mai ns ae cic of oligarcs wi o f he ligarcamog hmslvs. 28 Sc coics arise in ie ie ways an my reslin canges of many vaieies ligarcies lik emcracies can remain

same y f consiuin while ecoming more erme an awless . 30 7-2 ) . Ariscacy an li, a leas e cvenional isncesbeing kids of mixs of dmocacy and ligacy, cange in al ss ofways due o cses simila hose oaive in ei compen( 7 l 30727

In devloping is accun of geral causes and paricuar causes ofcang ad sdion Arisol appals ofen o isoricl examples illsio s eqely claify wa Asole mens by e cas meos ey lso g sama ik yo e ow cnes of

is own commui and f is own d by bingig in e expience f manyciis and many imes Teeby basic dicion f movmen f socialcondiions and e rsing i f csiuios m e as ino pes is idic Moreor possibli of causl ecacy of hcase e coio i sow y isaaing is ps acali Isom cs e llsaions , b y eferig o more an one kin f cosi uion or cussing on js on kid, suppor e cncepin f e cause as aenal or ariclar caus. us Aisoles illusrains serve as evince of sciic sad of is aalsis ad anc e racica selness of

is po

PEENTIN F PLIIAL ANG

avi invesiga Aisols saion of e cass of liica cngeI llw is odr an urn o e preevaion f cnsiu is m changeAisol indicas a his organiain wil parael a f e reamen f

causes cause e akes u e safgarding f consiuins in geral and ac consiui separay (8. l 30b2-7) . Moreve, annnces a cass esrcion of consiuins a conraies f he afegars , soo knw e ne is o kw e oer, jus as as are roucive f cnraies( 37b2 30) . We mig e expec a is secin ic cnsiders ecraies of e causes of cange ill lw e rs r vry csly. Inc, owee, Aise e no rpea is rvius analysis.

Arisole respcs disincion f h safegars ha aply o al kinds of consiuins m eraining especialy e r, bu es

n p higs s clearly emarcaed e as a iern rganiing

28 Arsl mtons dmgogues n onen w cng lges s wel sdemocras, b u y a fenly n t wo. Demagoges n oligachy ae emb ers f e rulg grup wh sek t divd i or st i up th may against it . 3052-39 d 1 38 l 1 8)


17/23


18/23

30 Nb NKY

lO. l 3a) an tan hly eem he t genme that itewu wih t eee. eetee tee is a extene aalyi facy a it eeati, a we ught t cnie why

iiiall plaile I scal icect apac t theanw, i un imeiey eente y Chale Hwa cwai. He

eliee hat Gee eut wee sc socig aais tat it wa eathig should e e t avod te He sas:

hs nmn n rrhi har f ms u ros n s mny ss uhi ryhn i h s, so omn ile, s l s rnmal . hs sy rri u by, rsriin sraism, n h, i ways sm o hprns s miir s i s f E y n h muh h syin ass i is his hes hre f s my nmorryrins h ns r h Geek fi n h rs s ors ms nyhi h mih i Nh ss hn suh uio n h nsn f is es h As , r xm s yrans h p yp f rnm hh h mis o bh ms essi i he s ell as h shsi

A geat icut wit ti iew is ha misses he exet t wich itleet ou o em moac ae a o peseve i in i w vaieiesNewa seems close o istole 's inteni in his eatin, [ieoay wished o do wh coud e doe o amen e wt eesiuos ad e my also ave desed eep he Macenian igspin te igt ac"

I eeve soe's eeded ateti macy has seveacoelig moivaios. Oe i that te Piics ee icte t whae o aspie o e saese ad such men ae en quite git We ayeca ow eae n e oo i wa ephaize tat te vuou have au icai ei in an we te i tee atte ecti at yant angs ae usuall ceded wh ly gea ai ite pupose theee,

a icui tyanny which put t a uattactie ight i t ee it main uc aea o the n me w wu e tate adcaale auming tyanica we i gives hee ecti ta a otat o at Pat Rpublic which ai t tu gite yung e e eticiu apea the lie upeme inutice eecialy tyany

32 Chs Howr Mwn Ctitutinalim Ancient an Mde (N Yr 1 947) ,pp 8-9. Irsy uh hras Mwa, r h 1930s a 194sobsrvs h nsh of n n mrn rvis, Nwm, rn r hesr o h rsn ry, sys Prap s h Ais sys hr ns uina [h sus h quy hr onrrs] s ss ru mod Ero h i ws f cin Grc, whr cnsu chg wassuay sweeping and sudden" ( The Poltics f Aristtle, vol . IV, p 8 4) Th posp p hisop hr b nr o h mr of yn 'hwvr, r su n phsph isussi r g vry ou f p tyranic cosutos (see l b6) .


19/23

R E I CHGE 4

e pupse is wake e alzao aspii saes, i ei leady uly aw o wha pded, a pli i lee eu d eaablss Te sob k f e deui oaie ad e of ps yay ay ok e ude pli i ppeii f eay ad los f luo A eeia

ypu, e y e o a pfe plosopial lie e epli lie.4e pupe eod pea h tudet of polial pil

py, u ee i uly a o e i ppoe h ae y . Ti d w h pa su of oay. Of l e u, ah s s poa (wh w ep ida i od w h Gk of pol a e Ge [lt] By hs I ma f auss of pos du o sbe a aa w e a mo abl o eage om, publ

i, ie. e leded , p d yy eee whi deideau We ushp ds b ooplzd b a dvua l up, e of ef upy elf w pee a pb ae T o u a v i f e e iuu a . We ould o eapo euey ued y, u a ul ve lde, ped e eep , e ae yay, ae da lav, po u wa I aed u l f e iu a duie iuu . I uge a eve we Plao ad ioe em vip , a ly we e s udd e upaiy we e e ube o viuu a ey uld d ei w. Tu, ip ad ay e e ie ppeylii ife. e e Ae dly oa may d ee iu ( . 3 a2 a 3 l 225), a i ee y o eve f p . u Ale ei e bai e f aal ae, d, Iexpaied ae, a e Gek md o be ad a

e . Ceuely , e dsus f oay e e ii ee e g h f ogzao f ay Gepe d e ea s be ae peve e ye

e e ede s li s Ao' ise, llwed up ue, a e mo m a ybd of oe o e oteiu Kghp uh e oay w a s a oba o exee la ad moa ( IO . 3 0b7) (W eall haeil iaes ad po we ao u e

Nm Tiu li il v I 1 3 m ml sree h H ese i Aso co Pc" ( er rs on l 2 h Arsol hroooc ts stram he Ps rel vrs h Mcoorh bvs hp he be f io ls supses heos o s hs ouh a hr decrc sesbls" 79) ms o m ht hs v iscou Arle er r vrtuos io


20/23

342 RONALD POLANSKY

7 30 ] . ) Tyranny risttle cntens haing as its en he pleasuean riae aantage f he rant an requing a guad of nmenaries comines the end an means f m olgarh i. ps of mney to pay the rps an auses the man wih he acics ofetree ecrcy he esructin f the naes ( 0. 3 a222 . Moreve isle can reaily lstate ann and kingshp appaing oaaran ntions espcially Pesia (se g l 0 3 0 l 3 3 2 2 l a3 0 hus he analysis hese rms ofrganiation is taking us the ege of hat rsot wou consieptics s the Greek ctysas png n em emoay o ogarchy he end war yrann an h saton of he araran nansSuch seems rstle a esperae gh r the pis and h seeks issavaion

While i s lerally true tha he presnts h means sae een he mos

egregius ranny i can harly be suppse hat he rs this rue. einicaes hs preference r the her appoah and he shows that rmetranns hav ha qie brif sencs I sggst that h s nothng oaocae the ereme strategy r saing tanny but rar prsents thisahsme approah as essential r th ecan f he saesman Hsctn of he var manves of ats o he thre as heas humle he popuain pu iniuas n misrust of ach her and eepmen pweress is qu t a emsiaon muh as he earlier ha emse the sret of amassng a arge une 6 If yann is someho a

mire f mcac an gah hn mans use in s peserationmay well e analgues hse aplae o emcracy r oligarch an s suis the saesmen t kno thm

I o no sppos stt mbaces tann n any nthsias way Ysme his cmens igh permit us o see hm ning so go use rt he enign" sraeg r scuring a ann sems reve mos of thevl of yanny While he yant uring hs if wol ho on o he rens ofpoe s ely hat such a cnstiuton could make a ale hange an een r desirle si utin lowing the ran's eah his eraemonchy migt even preferale in som nstane o more etrme tpesof democacy olgarch

here gh l e a urthe applicain f rann. I we eamine hecauses isle gives r chnges in mnarch w n ha all hose isedeare r he her sos o constituins appea ecep he las ur knswii he hir grup e electn inrgue careessnss neglect riesad issiil y i e ulain. I supse tha he rs ree o n me

3.6 Poay asizs Aistt's itti f dmystifying t tcniu acquist o wth by x sg it s simp ly th dvelop mnt a psitin of mnp l, see"riso Discovs Ecy, . 1 3 Neman poits ut ( The Politics Arist?tle'

. o . IV, p. 49) t al Aristtl 's mnioned tchniqs wickedact0 y tyr ts r l nwn t lir autitis nd tht Aistot tktem

o o th I uld suggst hvr tht t dcto the

tenqus to th th hads is Aristotl 's cntibtion.


21/23

R E N PII NE

p ecae ey a e pac monch. h a ca howich eemed o opely pos h othe p of cot o ghwel cal oach ee yay s h ony conon ha coldpace om h ano o th czs I m Arso ee taes t e gh se ommes cessy o hnd eme

ocal do . (cl hs emk 5 h h ge emesa ogt oghe y commo fa h hs ecommendao l 30a20 to ke mn oe h conso y conotng w othng ffl na a hn

We od no h Ao's s c h h moachc consos ae hbd of h oh cosos d h th sam cs ofchange ae op n hm sggss h h sppos hs a opoca chag nd dt on app od the Gk csae o het t come cn coc as og mns of h kds

of coons Aso hks sc hs eme sho po p appa spcal ky cs Aso nds no ns cs ocage of monche h dscson of h cass of chag ns p oew on n no pecla o them d f ts mo nchcsccoto pee o ew c hee pob h h oh typs of ca A oe do no sem h o cknoedge hsoa om o of poe k o dqafy hs anal h he qeson ote t o whc Aos poc phlooph cec and haseeac ode o e da pcal ao o h scon o

moncy

5 NLUIN

he nal poo f Polt V conan cc of Pao emn of hcange of costo Rbl VII nd X. Atol lewe ofe aae y eg ht h pdecso a tated h

nea e ae he ed hs occ pay ecae o opeouy ha atempd o genea an acco of poca cang hac Po ly a fn of h scnc dng o Asotswok. Aoe me ss Pos a l ( sa n) defdg h on appoach H knos os no h ebl aso a cophen l of polc change as hms o hsnetanng way o c o poso

Aole age pncpy he hng ( 1 h Po s o gpccal oltal cse chg o cs spcc o pc

coston 2) ha he ggs a sg hoca pn chg that to dcostc cco o cassegag l ) Aotl oss h th so Pao g chng

o e e coon o pec o ( 1 1 6) Aoe nsha Pao n ng pon p m" ssm o of cso ncea cd a poc chg nd pps as paspclly to he e cono hogh gh j as l ppy o o


22/23

RD K

h oth Thi put u in mn of ou anion to politica chan ion to chang gnay n ou ot o so ou the aicuations Aiot acount of h co in poca chane.

A 2 ) , Aiol aacks Plo chm caus of s inl icio ofchane 1 2 a 79) . In ao sem h conuon mut chn

into omethin ike th Span contuon hat in olgachy, hat nmoacy, an hat no yanny Tynny wou peumay hav hange ak agan no th t contituon Aoe whe to ho opnhe ii lity chan amon ny of th consuion ecau thee cne ntanc in acual expenc onhe how in ion 1Atotle acceptanc of a pn o ocia n pocal h oy I i athe a hat Plao an Aoe hae h sm nmenal concepon tht i, that h s a egenaon of h cy u to a ogelyeadent uneahin of s Po hs pupos aanons h

aegae phnomen of cu expnc o accntua the paenAiotle, whe aily agn jcs ny ugion o inle line ofhoy. The ae wo mny consiuons an oo vae a oial cn oimi chng too n ivy An oc o o upoe tha maedmin m . ) ge o h ha of Aso non n h mn of poiic

chng to comphnsv s 1 2 . 1 1 9 p 1 1 1 5 ) aom to us h ony on poss cu ach kn of chneSuh a uconc accoun of h cuss s sho of h apaon of u

cnce s to vi h phnomn nto hi iht kn W hveen eptey Aol eot o mak his eatmnt aeuatey eean ompx o ha h mns u to h phenomna une niaon

n h cou of h scussion I hav evl m mnion heonhip of pocl chan (eab wih con a Aosny of po ca chng m sa to econ upon th im fpoiicl acon No ony hs th nvson of monachy taken u o hxm of potc l ife an open a vw of if outs h pos , u ohe inuy no th co nvole n chne hav expos h m of thn . Th pace of histoy has . Astol has nic how ht to pevent chne o vn to c hm hee ae many co pay, ea o them v ha to cono h taman mut unsnwhat the poi te of tainng o impovng a oni uion a an hpopec o deteoaton

t hould hae en alihd tha Aol eek omphenvn nh teatment polital change I hou aso vint hat h am toie itue a l a pace a he paccaly can n poitical lf A la pa o

he t o enhann h oe o ue s to a to h popvtateman, holy wel along in vu, h sm chnc u hs nomnating the en. Exagad expctaon my ly a o p

3 so hs is. 8 zsch Twlgt f e ls, h scol h o o Sos"


23/23

AE N C G 35

n vt vts s sss s w e t tee nr an pw n rl t st t a an t sta tnns t s n Arsle te pan n an t a pll ts Appatn t sasp pte vr s takn v stn, sttsn

ust t h t lss pn s ust an bnn sss tn Tby ay se te nsttn ntn e ass yhty a twa a s

at t n s t sp n w ns pws n, xsn l v s ply S nstns, s yany, y ns pp atn, wlhe t ns s w sn s n sly v n utse s, plt tn t t sts s nt n

aut ay han n t s js els pp ps ft ny We s sn th my bew n ml f ny ns f sn ss pls ave y s a nnlr less n n te t nstn

e statsn st v n nstnn f t pl jtv fvruu pa an n w ns w n r ns tspspts at Astl s bn sen t r satn sen an yet as praa an an ptl hang as 39

8 Aistol sps te iy o iniis o_ os

n�

on o oeo� ynt s s (se 1 125) Sc

ca prax no h c

ion t i s t oei o Ths a non o en

poliil nge msls n ac (p�ax), o hs o lypuli tion sin it is no h o he po

s � c f so egmn y

to nge it so ing o t b n so o pu ton wis to tn t itos o is o p ommnts on n l

i

aristotle on political change

Documents