The Politics

Aristotle's Politics is a masterpiece, he starts off talking about how a city (polis) is a compound, with the parts or elements consisting of the household, the village and then the city. A city is a political association or 'sharing', with the end goal of the city being the good life or having the leisure time to engage in politics. Not all people can attain the good life, in order for some people to attain it, some people have to do the menial or degrading tasks, such as slaves, mechanics and manual labourers. He describes how household management consists of the master-slave, husband-wife, or father-children relationships, which correspond to how rulers of the city relate to their subjects. Aristotle discusses constitutions at length, which is how the various political offices of a city are organised. Constitutions are grouped in to two corresponding groups of right and perverted: kingship, aristocracy and 'constitutional government' against tyranny, oligarchy and democracy. Although oligarchy and democracy are classified as perverted constitutions, these are the constitutions Aristotle spends most of the book talking about. He then discusses how the various constitutions are destroyed through factional fighting and how they are best preserved. Aristotle explores every possibility or combination in order I suspect to avoid criticism; he leaves no stone unturned. He then goes on to describe how children should be educated by the city and not privately, in reading and writing, drawing, gymnastics and music. The last chapter is devoted to music education. The work is deep and technical, it's amazing how advanced the Greek philosophers were in the 4th century BC, as compared to the not so much earlier biblical writers of Israel. The analysis of the politics of the city (polis) is a universal example or analogy of the workings of any modern state. One really gains confidence in statecraft and politics, even when applied to large modern states. The translators notes are also imperative. I highly recommend this book to anyone!

A great classic

Partially thanks to the great translation and probably due to the insight and articulation of Aristotle's original book, it is easy to read and very relevant. When I read the book, I often had the feeling that I was reading someone contemporary. Then I realised how amazing Aristotle is. Fundamental to how we interpret the world.

For politicians or for anyone interested in politics to read this book

Very interesting and opens your mind

Great job, would recommend

A difficult translation, but worth the effort

O pensamento

Thank you very much, I received the book brand new like you mentioned. I will be recommending my friends and family to buy from you in the future.

got to me before estimated date and came at a good price

Recieved a misprint and damaged version.

Politics is the Art of gaining Power and Craft of Retaining it.