The evolution of Aristotle's ideal state

• Main Author: Galić Miloš R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Law 2017-01-01
• Series: Zbornik Radova: Pravni Fakultet u Novom Sadu
• Subjects: Aristotle; ideal state; evolution
• Online Access: http://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/0550-2179/2017/0550-21791701223G.pdf

Aristotle is explaining the entire reality through two most abstract principles, form and matter. The matter that is in the state of motion is taking a concrete form, becoming an object, or in other words an idea with a purpose. The evolution of all ideas in the world is permanent, and since the beginning of history the matter is constantly falling, and the form is rising, making the entire world more perfect. The state is an idea in which the population and the territory are representing the matter, and the authority is representing the form, with a purpose of achieving pleasant life of citizens. Superior forms of authority are those aimed at achieving general interest, which by Aristotle are: kingdom, aristocracy and republic. Poor forms of authority are those aimed at achieving personal interest of those who rule, to the detriement of the rest of the population which are: tiranny, oligarchy and democracy. The ideal state can only arise where there are conditions for its creation, in other words where there is an ideal territory and population, taking ideal form of authority. The types of ideal state are: pambasileia, politeia ariste and polity. Aristotle states that polity existed in Athens during the reign of Solon. There is no information in his works about the existence of pambasileia and politeia ariste. Considering the actual nature of Arisotle's philosophy and the general teaching about the evolution of all ideas in the world, the author came to the conclusion that Aristotle created those types of states like pambasileia and politeia ariste based on the fact that the conditions for their existence will develop later on in the future. As the world is becoming more arranged, first there will emerge conditions for politeia ariste coming into existence and in the end of history pambasileia too.