Introduction
Politics is an essential component of the life of society; by its nature, it penetrates all spheres of social life. As a social phenomenon, politics has a relatively independent character, and its development occurs based on objective laws. International relations are based on the interaction of many participants, each guided by their interests and motivations. Among the persons actively acting in public relations, some distinguished political persons understand them as public politicians authorized to make and implement decisions in the state’s foreign relations sphere. Thus, it is essential to analyze philosophers’ theories concerning politics and evaluate them.
Philosophy
The Political Philosophies of Plato
It is essential to remark that Plato emphasized formulating the highest value of all state administration. The philosopher referred to the achievement of the integrity of society by ensuring the consent of various social groups and estates (Hampton 23). In this, Plato identified justice of state structure as the primary basis of the ideal country. In addition, from Plato’s point of view, humanity understands four negative types of countries, each of which is a consistent deterioration or perversion of the ideal country form.
For example, Plato stated that discord prospered in the negative conditions of the state instead of unanimity (Hampton 23). Similarly, the proper desire of rulers for the highest ends of justice in human society is replaced by the pursuit of power for low ends and the pursuit of material interests. Plato described the particular differences in the types of states as possible: theocracy, characterized by a thriving passion for enrichment (Hampton 29). However, as the passion for the secret accumulation of wealth spreads, there is a sharp property stratification and a transition to oligarchy.
From Plato’s point of view, in an oligarchic state flow, essential social expenditure is disrupted because members of society are committed to various activities. Democracy is the result of the constant development of oligarchy, expressed in the power and rule of the majority (Hampton 29). Meanwhile, society finds itself in conditions where the opposition between the rich and the poor is exacerbated even more in conditions of oligarchy.
According to Plato, tyranny is the worst form of deviation from the ideal state, expressed in the power of one overall in society, as a result of the degeneration of the democratic control of the majority (Hampton 29). Plato contrasted the above harmful types of government with the ideal state. In which, like the oligarchy, a few people rule.
In contrast, these few people can become the only people who can manage the condition well because of the coincidence of their natural talents and years of training in the management of the state. Among the properties of an ideal state, Plato referred to the power of the state organization and the presence of sufficient means to protect it from a hostile environment. In addition, the systematic provision of all members of society is necessary for each, including material goods, and ensures a high level of development of spiritual activity and creativity in the state (Hampton 41). Therefore, in terms of Plato’s political philosophy, the ideal type of polity should possess many features of moral and political organization, allowing the state to solve the most significant problems.
Aristotle’s Political Philosophy
As opposed to Plato’s ideal state, Aristotle’s political theory is primarily based on fundamental political and social relations and constructs. This political pragmatism derives from Aristotle’s philosophical project, with many points directed against Plato’s idealistic philosophy. The sphere of politics, according to Aristotle, is closely related to ethics (Hampton 61). It should be based on the pursuit of morality and adherence to well-established moral attitudes. Ethics is a kind of introduction to politics, so the subject of political philosophy is the study of how justice is manifested in politics. In this relation, it is worth mentioning that Aristotle supported slavery (Hampton 61). In this context, it is relevant to note that Aristotle was an advocate of slavery.
Aristotle understands the state as political communication, and the philosopher argues that natural necessity pushes community members to form a state. Aristotle argues that one person should not completely usurp political power but is the domain of a particular community’s free and equal political aristocracy (Hampton 64). Moreover, following Aristotle’s philosophy, society is formed based on the communion of several settlements, its primary function being the joint achievement of the good. Therefore, the state is a naturally occurring socio-political structure that is used to accomplish specific goals, both economic and moral.
Aristotle formulates a classification of political forms of government in his political philosophy. In general, Aristotle divides all forms into two broad classes. The right ones are monarchy, aristocracy, and polity. There are also the wrong ones: tyranny, oligarchy, and democracy. The worst form of government the ancient Greek thinker considers tyranny.
Aristotle strongly criticizes democracy, which completely gives power to the people (Hampton 68). At the same time, Aristotle accepted moderate manifestations of democratic principles of organization, believing that they contribute to the consolidation of the rich and poor (Hampton 71). The best form of government is the polity because it does not represent something between aristocracy and democracy, where the middle class plays a critical role.
My Reflection
It appears to me that Plato found a way of governing the state according to which every citizen would be essential. In this way, an honest and moral ruler would be able to consolidate the state and replicate a fair division of labor. Simultaneously, a well-functioning mechanism would enable such a community to generate cooperative income and jointly defend itself against enemies. Aristotle proposed a form of state government where the middle class is in charge. I think this way of distributing power and leadership is ineffective because chaos and the absence of a real higher power begin when the majority rules. Thus, Plato’s political philosophy of a just ruler and division of labor is the best way to govern humans.
If I was in power, I would use Plato’s philosophy, but I would make a few changes. First, I would create control mechanisms for the authorities and bureaucrats to ensure that there are no corrupt schemes. Secondly, in Plato, the good of the whole does not imply the interest of the parts. Thus, the philosopher strives to ensure the state’s welfare in the first place. I would modify this thesis and provide each person’s goodness, which would positively affect the state.
Conclusion
Thus, the primary difference between Plato’s and Aristotle’s view of politics in the state is that Plato observed a state where all responsibilities were divided among the classes and hierarchy was strictly observed. Aristotle did not support hierarchy in the ideal form of government. Therefore, the political philosophies of Plato and Aristotle are foundational. In my opinion, applying Plato’s philosophy and combining it with certain features of Aristotle’s perspective is essential to the state’s leadership.
Work Cited
Hampton, Jean. Political Philosophy. Routledge, 2018.