Aristotle The history of democracy Biography of Aristotle

Aristotle The history of democracy

Biography of Aristotle � � � Born: 384 BC in the city of Stagira, Chalkidice, on the northern periphery of Classical Greece; His name means “the best purpose“; His father died when Aristotle was a child; Little information about his childhood; At the age of 17 he joined Plato's Academy(remained there for 20 years); Married to Pythias (his daughter was named after his wife);

Biography of Aristotle � � � Aristotle was invited by Philip II of Macedon to become the tutor to his son Alexander(343 BC); He became head of the royal academy of Macedon and tutored also Ptolemy and Cassander; 335 BC- return to Athens and establishment of his own schoolthe Lyceum; 335 -332 BC- the most productive period of Aristotle; His most important treatises include Physics, Metaphysics, Nicomachean Ethics, Politics, De Anima (On the Soul) and Poetics;

Biography of Aristotle � � � A Greek philosopher, logician, and scientist; Generally regarded as one of the most influential ancient thinkers in a number of philosophical fields, including political theory; Died: 322 BC (age: 63);

Democracy- "rule of the majority“ � � � The birthplace of democracy- Ancient Greece; A system of government in which the citizens exercise power directly or elect representatives from among themselves; Consists of 4 elements: 1)A political system for choosing and replacing the government through elections; 2)The active participation of the people; 3) Protection of the human rights; 4) A rule of law;

Democracy and Aristotle � � Aristotle is one of the first philosophers to speak of democracy; „Politics“ by Aristotle

„Politics“ � � Describes the role that politics must play in the life of the citizens; Provides analysis of the kinds of political community that existed in that time; Consists of 8 books; Book VI contains information about democracy;

The “polis” according to Aristotle � People as political animals(created to live in a society); � Countries-created in order to satisfy human`s needs for communication; � 6 types of government;

Forms of government � Monarchy- governed by 1 person � Aristocratic countrygoverned by the minority � Polity-governed by the majority

Forms of government � Tyranny- governed by 1; � Oligarchygoverned by the minority; � Democracygoverned by the minority;

Main forms of government � Democracy and Oligarchy; � Together they create the other forms (Polity, Monarchy, etc. );

Aristotle`s Democracy � Belongs to the rich majority; � Has its weaknesses; � 5 forms of democracy; � Domination of people`s will and opinion; � Better than oligarchy; � Moderate;

Democracy today � Characteristics- legal equality, political freedom, rule of law; � Vote of citizens; � Rights and liberties-written in the constitution; � Separaion of powers; � Majority rule;

The End � � � Thank you for the attention! Created by Mila Nikolova Sources: Wikipedia, Britannica. com, Thoughtco. com, Plato. stanford. edu;