In this episode, I explore Aristotle’s brutal critique of both democracy and oligarchy and why he believed neither the rich nor the poor should rule simply because they can.
For Aristotle, justice is about purpose rather than wealth or equality. Cities exist for living well, and not just for mere survival.
This is where Aristotle draws the line between power and legitimacy. He doesn’t care how many people rule. He cares why they rule, and who actually benefits from it.
Politics, Book III, Chapters 6–10
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Aristotle's Politics
00:51 Transition to Regime Types
02:45 Understanding the Purpose of the City
06:19 Political Rule vs. Despotic Rule
09:27 Classification of Regimes
14:05 Critique of Democracy and Oligarchy
17:50 The Role of the Middle Class
21:54 Justice in Governance
26:26 Mob Rule vs. Tyranny
27:40 Critique of Law-Based Systems
28:18 Key Takeaways and Conclusion
