You should aim to write around 1500 words. There is no need to engage secondary sources to answer any of
Aristotle claims that there is “no difficulty” in answering the question of whether some are slave by nature: “from the hour of their birth, some are marked out for subjection, others for rule.” (1254a22-23) But he proceeds to argue about it for the next two chapters, and admits that “those who take the opposite side have in a certain way right on their side.” (1255a3) Is there a way to make his argument coherent? How would you challenge it?
In Book IV, Aristotle describes different types of democracies and oligarchies. Based on these, how would Aristotle categorize American democracy? Would he approve of it?
Here is a potential outline, however you could go out of your way to see the best way to answer the prompt given above.
I. Introduction
A. Brief overview of Aristotle’s typology of political regimes
B. Thesis statement outlining the analysis of how Aristotle would categorize American democracy and his potential approval of it
II. Aristotle’s Typology of Political Regimes
A. Explanation of Aristotle’s classification of good regimes and corrupted forms
B. Description of monarchy, aristocracy, and polity as good regimes
C. Overview of tyranny, oligarchy, and democracy as corrupted forms
III. Categorization of American Democracy
A. Analysis of American democracy in relation to Aristotle’s categories
1. Examination of key features of American democracy
2. Comparison of American democracy with Aristotle’s definitions of democracy and polity
B. Argument for categorizing American democracy as a form of polity
IV. Evaluation of Aristotle’s Potential Approval
A. Assessment of American democracy based on Aristotle’s criteria
1. Protection of the common good
2. Rule of law and constitutional principles
3. Concerns about factionalism and polarization
4. Influence of money in politics
5. Democratic participation and civic engagement
B. Discussion of Aristotle’s likely approval or disapproval of American democracy
1. Recognition of commendable aspects
2. Identification of areas for improvement or critique
V. Comparison with Aristotle’s Ideal
A. Examination of how American democracy aligns with Aristotle’s ideal polity
B. Analysis of potential discrepancies and challenges
C. Exploration of implications for the health and stability of American democracy
VI. Conclusion
A. Recapitulation of key points regarding Aristotle’s categorization of American democracy
B. Final assessment of whether Aristotle would approve of American democracy
C. Reflection on the enduring relevance of Aristotle’s political philosophy for contemporary governance