“Once Again Into the Breach” of the Debate About “Polity” in Aristotle’s Political Teaching: Another Closer Look at Politics 4 Chapters 12 and 13

Abstract

Abstract This paper offers a reexamination of Aristotle’s Politics 4, chapter 12–13—the so-called account of polity or the mixed regime. Aristotle suggests that the forthcoming discussion delves into either the optimal governing system in general or the most prevalent form of governance across various cities. However, upon closer examination of Politics 4.12–13, a distinct perspective emerges. Working off the account of the meso (the middle) of Politics 4.11, in 12–13 we are not offered an account of the best practical regime, that is of a specific regime form. Instead, Aristotle presents an account on how regimes can achieve moderation and harmony—that is stability. So instead of an account of a specific regime type, we get an account of what moderates and stabilizes regimes generally.