ARISTOTLE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

ARISTOTLE - Essay Example He posited that the citizenship of the people should not be classified on the basis of their possession of wealth but other features like their age. For example the older experienced lot would be the ones with mature thinking and the younger people would be those who are yet to pass through the stages of development. Thus according to Aristotle the older people who had more experience would be having a superior position as the citizen rather than the younger people. The older people would be wise enough to take the right decision in construction and execution of the government. He also mentioned that it was not possible to separate the outsiders of the state who took part in the affairs of the state from those who are actually originating from the state. He included in his theory the fact that the children who are born to the parents who are citizens would automatically become citizens of the state (Frede, 2005). Thus citizens have been perceived as those who are supposed to share th e office of the government. Aristotle had conceived of a small state where the people would participate in the various kinds of political affairs and would comprise of the citizens. Small state was a feasible option according to Aristotle because the people would in such case be able to directly participate in the affairs. Every people living in a particular state would know about the other person and therefore the understanding of each others’ character would be easier. The identity of a particular state would be identified by the location and the residents of the state. The state ideally should be set up in such a way that the happiness of the citizens is fulfilled and they can develop a positive feeling for their fellow citizens. Therefore there should be a water body located nearby so that trade among people and across states can take place easily. There should be a constitution of the state that would lay down the rules and regulations and therefore it would contain the true essence of the state. However, he had classified this into two types. One is that which looks into the interest of the common man and therefore is favorable to everyone in the state. It is the just constitution. The unjust one is that which is only inclined in the retention of power and look into selfish interests. Thus monarchy that takes care of all the citizens is a fair form of government while tyranny that is detrimental to the other citizens is not acceptable. He also added that power should be distributes across the people and the person who carries out a particular work efficiently should be entrusted with that work. Aristotle claimed that there was a relationship of discomfort between the rich and the poor in the society. It was the middle class that acted as the balancing force in the society. The balance of power would be ensured if there is equitable distribution of power between the poor and the rich (Collin, 2006). Aristotle believed that education and knowledge w as essential for the proper conservation of the constitution. It is also not justifiable to allow all the men to interfere into the affairs of the state. However, time to time scrutiny is required at the same time by the common man. Education would give rise to rational thought and policies by of the state can be formulated through the use of rational ideas. Aristotle also