What Aristotle thinks about democracy
Greek philosopher (384 to 322 BCE); studied in Plato's Academy until 347 BCE; founded the Lyceum in Athens in 335 BCE.
Aristotle did not write this page.
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2 dated positions, c. 367–322 BCE, in their own words. Our reading of what Aristotle has said — not written or endorsed by them.
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Our readingTyranny, oligarchy and democracy serve one man, the rich or the poor, not the common good
Their wordsNow a tyranny is a monarchy where the good of one man only is the object of government, an oligarchy considers only the rich, and a democracy only the poor; but neither of them have a common good in view.
↗Politics: A Treatise on Government (William Ellis translation)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book
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Their wordsHowever, a democracy is safer and less liable to sedition than an oligarchy; for in this latter it may arise from two causes, for either the few in power may conspire against each other or against the people; but in a democracy only one; namely, against the few who aim at exclusive power; but there is no instance worth speaking of, of a sedition of the people against themselves.
↗Politics: A Treatise on Government (William Ellis translation)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book