In Aristotle's classification of regimes, what distinguishes a 'good' form from a 'corrupt' one?

Question

In Aristotle's classification of regimes, what distinguishes a 'good' form from a 'corrupt'  one?

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question asks about Aristotle's distinction between a good form and a corrupt form of regime. We will evaluate each option against Aristotelian theory.
Option 1: 'The frequency of elections' — Aristotle discusses forms of government in terms of who governs and for whose benefit, not primarily the mechanics of elections. While elections can be a feature of some regimes, the frequency of elections is not the core criterion he uses to separate good from corrupt forms. Therefore this option misstates the central criterion and is not the key distinction Aristotle emphasizes.
Option 2: 'The existence of a written constitution' — Having a written constitution is a structural feature that some modern theorists might highlight, but Aristotle did not define good versus corrupt regimes by whether a constitution is written. His analysis centers on whether the ruler aims at the common good or self-interest, not on written versus unwritten rules. This makes the option anachronistic and not the fundamental criterion in his framework.
Option 3: 'The degree of economic redistribution' — While economic factors matter in discussions of polity and justice, Aristotle's primary distinction between good and corrupt forms is not about how wealth is redistributed. He focuses on the end goal and the class that uses power: is it aimed at the common welfare or at the rulers’ own benefit? Thus this option does not capture the central criterion and is misleading in Aristotle’s account.
Option 4: 'Pursuit of common good vs. rulers' self-interest' — This precisely reflects Aristotle’s distinction between good regimes (polity, aristocracy, perhaps constitutional government depending on context) where the ruling group seeks the common advantage, and corrupt regimes (tyranny, oligarchy, democracy misdefined as og political form in his taxonomy) where rulers pursue their own interests at the expense of the common good. This is the core definitional criterion Aristotle uses to differentiate regimes.
In summary, the only option that aligns with Aristotle’s fundamental criterion—whether the rulers pursue the common good or their own self-interest—is option 4, while the other options introduce factors that are not central to his primary distinction between good and corrupt forms of regime. The reasoning highlights the misalignment of the first three options with the essential Aristotelian principle.

2261 PS 1340 SEC1000 Midterm Exam

In Aristotle's classification of regimes, what distinguishes a 'good' form from a 'corrupt' one?

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