ABSTRACT
Although critical of democracy as a form of government, the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384–322 bce) nevertheless recognized the democratic principle that “many heads are better than one.” Just as a feast to which many people contribute is richer, more varied, and more nourishing than a meal prepared by one or a few, so a government that makes use of many talents and perspectives is wiser than one that does not. That is Aristotle’s argument in Book III, Chapter 11 of his Politics. But the best form of government, as he goes on to say in Book IV, Chapter 11, is not democracy but “polity,” that is, rule by the many in the interest of all. Aristotle thus anticipates the kind of popular self-rule that came to be called “republican.” On the republican form of government, see selections 2.5 and 2.6.
