POLI 201 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Liberal Democracy, Tyrant, Oligarchy
17 Feb 2017
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Aristotle formulated the ancient typologies of government. These typologies included three lawful" forms of government and three perverted" forms of government. Lawful governments rule for the common good while perverted governments rule in the private interest of the governors. Monarchies are lawful regimes because the monarch rules in the interest of the people. The monarch listens to the concerns of his subjects and becomes aware of their needs, leading the government to work for the people. Tyrannies are perverted because a tyrant rules in his own interest. Laws made by a tyrant are made with the sole purpose of enriching and empowering the tyrant. Aristocracies are lawful because the group of elites govern in the interests of the common good. Oligarchies are perverse because they govern in their own interest, passing laws or pursuing objectives that improve their condition without the consideration of the common good.
