Aristotle’s Concept of Best State (Ideal State)

Aristotle’s Concept of Best State (Ideal State)

📘 TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Introduction
  2. Why Aristotle Discussed the “Best State”
  3. Method: How Aristotle Builds the Idea of the Best State
  4. Key Principles of the Best State
  5. Size and Population of the Ideal State
  6. Territory of the Ideal State
  7. The Role of the Middle Class
  8. Citizenship in the Best State
  9. Economy, Property & Distribution of Wealth
  10. Education System in the Best State
  11. Political System of the Ideal State
  12. Comparison: Aristotle’s Best State vs Plato’s Ideal State
  13. Criticisms of Aristotle’s Ideal State
  14. Modern Relevance
  15. Summary (Quick Revision)

1. INTRODUCTION

Aristotle’s “Best State” (or Ideal State) appears mainly in Politics Book VII & VIII.
Unlike Plato, whose ideal state is utopian, rigid, and heavily managed, Aristotle’s ideal state is:

  • practical
  • grounded in human nature
  • based on moderation
  • adaptable
  • realistic

His ideal state is a blueprint for achieving the good life—the ultimate goal of political organization.

2. WHY ARISTOTLE DISCUSSED THE BEST STATE

Aristotle believed that:

“The state exists not merely to live, but to live well.”

So, the “best state” must:

  • cultivate virtue
  • ensure justice
  • promote ethical living
  • help citizens achieve eudaimonia (the good life)

His purpose was not to create a fantasy world, but to:

  • guide real states
  • provide standards for political excellence
  • understand the conditions for a flourishing society

3. METHOD: HOW ARISTOTLE BUILDS THE IDEA

Aristotle’s approach is empirical and logical:

Step 1 → Understand human nature

Humans are rational and social.

Step 2 → Understand purpose of the state

State promotes virtuous life.

Step 3 → Examine existing constitutions

He studied 158 constitutions.

Step 4 → Identify best possible features

Not imaginary, but found in real-world states.

Step 5 → Combine them into a model

His ideal state is a practical perfection, not a utopia.

4. KEY PRINCIPLES OF THE BEST STATE

Aristotle’s ideal state rests on a few foundational principles:

(A) Rule of Reason

Reason (not wealth or birth) should determine:

  • laws
  • rulers
  • conduct of the state

(B) Virtue as the Highest Goal

The ideal state must cultivate:

  • moral virtue
  • intellectual virtue
  • moderation
  • citizenship

(C) Middle-Class Dominance

A strong middle class stabilizes politics and prevents extreme rule.

(D) Balance & Moderation

“Nothing in excess” — the golden mean.

(E) Mixed Government

Prevents tyranny of rich or poor.

(F) Self-Sufficiency

State must provide all necessities for good life.

5. SIZE & POPULATION OF THE IDEAL STATE

Aristotle insists that size must be moderate:

Not too big

  • prevents chaos
  • hard to govern
  • weak community feeling

Not too small

  • must be economically self-sufficient
  • must defend itself

Ideal size

Population should be:

  • large enough to be self-sufficient
  • small enough to be well-governed
  • citizens should know each other personally

This reflects the Greek polis ideal.

6. TERRITORY OF THE IDEAL STATE

Territory must be:

  • fertile
  • well-watered
  • suitable for agriculture
  • have access to sea (but not too much contact to avoid corruption)
  • allow easy defense

Moderation is again key.

7. THE ROLE OF THE MIDDLE CLASS

A core feature of Aristotle’s ideal state:

Middle class must be the largest and most powerful group.

Why?

  • avoids the arrogance of the rich
  • avoids rebellion by the poor
  • stabilizes politics
  • ensures moderation
  • protects the constitution

Aristotle says the middle class promotes:

  • justice
  • obedience to law
  • civic friendship

This is the foundation of Polity, his preferred constitution.

8. CITIZENSHIP IN THE BEST STATE

Who is a citizen?

One who:

  • participates in deliberation
  • holds office when necessary
  • contributes to the common good

Citizenship requires:

  • virtue
  • education
  • leisure to participate

Citizens should focus on:

  • war (as defense)
  • politics
  • virtue
  • culture

Non-citizens (farmers, artisans, merchants) support the state but do not rule.

(Note: By modern standards this is exclusionary.)

9. ECONOMY, PROPERTY & DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH

Aristotle rejects Plato’s communism of property.

Key principles:

✔ Private property allowed

Humans work harder when they own things.

✔ But common use encouraged

Citizens should share with others from a moral sense.

✔ Wealth inequality must be moderate

Extreme inequality → revolution.

✔ No extreme luxury

Corrupts character and state.

✔ Private property + moral education = ideal system

Aristotle balances:

  • economic efficiency
  • social harmony
  • human motivation

10. EDUCATION SYSTEM IN THE IDEAL STATE

Education is central.

Principles:

  • State-controlled (not private)
  • Compulsory for all citizens
  • Uniform and common curriculum
  • Begins in childhood
  • Aims at moral and intellectual virtue

Core subjects:

  • reading & writing
  • gymnastics (body)
  • music (soul)
  • drawing
  • military training
  • philosophy (advanced)

Purpose is to create:

  • good citizens
  • virtuous individuals
  • rational decision-makers

11. POLITICAL SYSTEM OF THE IDEAL STATE

Aristotle’s ideal constitution is:

A mixed constitution (Polity) that blends:

  • democracy (freedom, participation)
  • oligarchy (merit, stability)

Features:

  • rule of law
  • separation of functions
  • majority of middle-class
  • merit-based leadership
  • civic participation
  • common good as aim

Military & Defence:

  • citizen-soldiers
  • strong but not aggressive
  • defensive, not imperialistic

12. ARISTOTLE’S BEST STATE VS PLATO’S IDEAL STATE

(Excellent for exams)

FeaturePlatoAristotle
BasisPhilosophical idealismPractical realism
PurposePerfection of philosopher-kingsGood life for all
PropertyCommunal for guardiansPrivate property allowed
FamilyAbolished for guardiansFamily is natural & essential
RulersPhilosopher kings (few)Virtuous middle-class rule
MethodUtopianEmpirical
CitizenshipHighly restrictiveBroader, based on ability
Class divisionRigidFlexible & natural
RealityNot achievablePractically possible

Aristotle’s best state is more democratic, humanistic, and practical compared to Plato’s rigid model.

13. CRITICISMS OF ARISTOTLE’S IDEAL STATE

  1. Exclusionary — denies citizenship to workers and artisans.
  2. Accepts slavery — morally unacceptable today.
  3. Small city-state model not fit for large modern nations.
  4. Too much moralism — assumes virtue can be imposed.
  5. Middle-class bias — ignores possibility of class manipulation.
  6. Education controlled by state may threaten individual freedom.

Despite criticisms, Aristotle’s ideal state is still valued for its realism.

14. MODERN RELEVANCE

Aristotle’s best state influences:

  • modern republicanism
  • theory of mixed government
  • constitutionalism
  • merit-based leadership
  • economic moderation
  • social harmony
  • importance of middle class
  • civic education
  • balanced economy

His prediction that middle class ensures stability is widely supported by modern political science.

15. SUMMARY (QUICK REVISION)

  • Aristotle’s ideal state aims at the good life, not just a well-run system.
  • It is realistic, moderate, and based on human nature, unlike Plato’s utopia.
  • Key features:
    • moderate population & territory
    • rule of reason & virtue
    • dominant middle class
    • mixed constitution (polity)
    • private property + moral education
    • strong state-run education
    • citizen participation
  • Rejects communism of family and property.
  • Criticized for elitism, slavery, and small-state model.
  • Still influences modern constitutional design and political theory.

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