Aristotle's Mixed Regime

Throughout book four, Aristotle talks about what would be the best regime. As he goes on, Aristotle relates the four cardinal virtues, justice, courage, wisdom, and moderation to his explanation of the “best” regime. Aristotle is basically presenting the idea as to what characteristics the “best” regime should have in order to be fair to all citizens being governed. In the passage, Aristotle argues that in order to have the best regime, you must create a regime that is equal and fair to everyone. “Hence, agreement must first be reached on what is for everyone, practically speaking, the most choice worthy way of life, and then on whether this way of life is the same for all in common as for each separately or whether it is different” ( 1323a14,

Many have argued that a mixed regime may not be the best regime, because citizens won’t agree on what the life of virtue is. Aristotle clears this up saying that there is no regime better than the other; they have both good and bad characteristics. He mentions for those who agree with the philosophical way of life, are mainly the ones who are more interested in a democracy regime whereas those who agree with the political way of life are those who agree on an oligarchy regime. For those who disagree with a democracy regime he states “But since their thinking that all rule is despotic, is not correct, for rules over the free differs from rule over slave…. Also their praising inactivity more than activity is not true for happiness is action and further, many noble things reach their goal in the actions of the just and moderate” (1325a23, Aristotle). Those citizens who are in favor of an oligarchy are misinterpreted of those for a democracy. He states that those who are well and would still allow their neighbor to govern over them should not let them do so and in other ways, do what best suits them as long it does not violates laws put

In order for a society to function property it must have a well equally balance of social classes. “For there must be some one thing that is both common and the same for those who are in community together, whether they are sharing it equally or unequally…but when there is something that exists for the sake of another, and this other is the end for the sake of which the first is, then they have nothing in common save by way of making and receiving” (1328a21, Aristotle). Aristotle explains the importance of having multiple cities within a society, and those cities being made up of those who have majority things in common, with the mixture of a regime, the life of virtue should not be affected in a negative way. Those who have different beliefs on what a virtuous life shall be lead to what the true meaning of what a life of virtue is. Aristotle refers back to the history in how the mixed regime came about; he goes on by saying that there is no reason in changing the regime in its entirety and that improving the one put in place. In concluding, Aristotle says the best regime is one filled with happiness, when citizens are governed politically however have the rights to do as they please as long as they abide by the laws put in place. No division of social classes should affect all citizens living a life of virtue. Aristotle mentions and concludes with education, as well