Aristotle believes that
the middle-class is economically and morally moderate. The
middle-class has property, and thus it is interested in politics, but
those who have either excessive wealth or excessive poverty may
become arrogant or malicious, and no longer able to obey reason or
make wise decisions.
Aristotle abhors
polarization and extremism. He idealizes a constitutional government.
He says, “Where the middle class outweighs in numbers both the
other classes, or even one of them, it is possible for a constitution
to be permanent.”
He sees democracy as
problematic, describing it as “rule by the many in their own
interest.” He says that there should be direct participation of
citizens in the affairs of the state rather than participation
through representation. He believes that it is good for people to
take turns governing, and that citizens should be willing to serve on
juries.
Aristotle's conception
of the middle-class is different from the American middle class in
that American citizens are not often willing to serve on juries.
Also, direct citizen participation in American government is much
less common than people exercising political power through
representation.
Written in April 2008 for a course on political theory,
Edited in July 2014
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