144 Political Theory: The Relationship of Man and the Statewho is educated, has the time for civic duties, and is, in fact,
virtuous. The person who is not only subject to law, but has a part
in the administration of law can be a citizen. Children are not
citizens, then, nor are slaves, nor are those who cannot share in
the role of governing.
This, then, seems to be Aristotle’s preference; a polity with a
broad middle class, educated for citizenship, with a constitution
to guide them. In such a state there would be three branches of
government: the deliberative assemblies, the executive branch,
and the courts of law. Each of these three branches would be
differently constituted depending on which form is in effect. But
in the polity, Aristotle recommends the middle class be the
dominant force in the body that makes the laws. Those who
execute the laws should have their duties very clearly defined.
They should deal with particular subjects, i.e., be specialists
rather than generalists, and have powers necessary to fit their
role. The courts should be divided according to the type of
litigation they will be dealing with, and the judges chosen by
election or by lot, or in some cases, by both methods.
Education is one of the most important functions of the state.
Primarily the “citizens should be molded to suit the form of
government under which they live.” Since the end of the state is
self-sufficiency, children should learn the occupations which are
required by the state in order to achieve this end. Education for
citizenship is likewise important if the citizen is one who must
be governed as well as govern. Aristotle is firm in the opinion
that discipline is an important aspect of the educational process,
since “he who has never learned to obey can never be a good
commander.”
Law should be the supreme governor of men’s actions. Man
is subject to temptations, desires, and personal preferences; the
law is not. The law is neutral and objective, and to that extent
should be respected because it conforms to Aristotle’s great faith
in reason. Law, the rule of reason, is superior to the whims of
individuals. Good laws are to be revered. Judicial decisions
should be made by groups of intelligent men capable of wise
decisions. He seems to favor the jury over the judge in that he
says, “As a feast to which all the guests contribute is better than
a banquet furnished by a single man, so a multitude is a better
judge of many things than any individual.”