ARISTOTLE'S VIEW ON REVOLUTION

ARISTOTLE'S VIEW ON REVOLUTION

According to Aristotle any big or small change in the constitution or a change in rulers is constituted a revolution.

1. A revolution that may change the constitution.
2. A revolution that may change the ruling people.
3. A revolution that may make an oligarchy more oligarchic or change democracy into more democracy.
4. A revolution that may change just an institution in the government like an office
5. A revolution that may change just a set of people in the government.
6. To sum up we can say that for Aristotle Political Change is the revolution, either big or AWmall; total or partial.

Causes of Revolution

prof. Maxey on the basis of Aristotle's Work 'politics' identified several reasons for revolution as described by Aristotle.

1. Unequal distribution of offices: when the various offices of the State are distributed unequally, it will lead to a Revolution.
2. Misuse of Authority: When authority is misused, it causes a revolution.
3. Injustice: if injustice is caused to the people, it will lead to Revolution.
4. Careless recruitment: if the recruitment to the offices of the state is propelled it will lead to revolution.
5. Unwanted expenditure: unwanted and callous expenditure will cause a revolution.
6. Jealousy: Jealousy towards those in power can cause a revolution.
7. Neglect of minor changes: if small changes are neglected, they will grow out of proportion.
8. Immigration from outside: if there is no control of immigrants from outside the state, gradually it will cause a revolution.
9. Use of force without reason: if the power of the state is used irrationally, it 'night lead to revolution.
10. In democracies, the excesses of demagogues may cause a revolution.
11. In Oligarchies, excessive rule of oligarchs may cause a revolution.
12. In aristocracies, jealousy towards aristocrats may cause a revolution

Methods prevent Revolution:

There are many methods to prevent Revolutions. Aristotle suggests a number of useful methods to prevent revolution. They can be summarized as follows:

1. The most important method to prevent revolution is to develop the spirit of obedience to law. The people of the state should be educated on the spirit of the constitution.
2. Small changes in the constitution should be carefully observed. There shall be no sudden changes. The government should take care not to change the existing system all of a sudden.
3. Too much power should not concentrate on a person or group of persons. Excessive authority should not concentrate on anyone.
4. Everyone should be considered while allotting public offices. No man or class of men should be left out. There shall be a proper selection system. The offices of the state should be filled by a proper selection system.
5. There should be public control over financial administration. It should be open to public scrutiny.
6. Offices and honors should be awarded based on justice.
7. Minor events in the state should not be ignored. Minor issues can turn into a bigger problem,
8. Avoid outsiders: People from outside should not be entertained much in the State. They should be carefully watched. It should be seen that they will mix well with the population.
9. Gain confidence of the people: The most important method to prevent revolution is to gain the confidence of the people

Conclusion 

1. Unlike Plato's Political Philosophy, Aristotle's Theory of revolution is pragmatic and based on the empirical approach, thus he is rightly said as the  Father of Political Science. Despite some criticisms, he is appreciated by most of the political thinkers.
2.  Coleridge: Everyone is born either a Platonist or an Aristotelian.
3.  Barker comments that Aristotle's methodology is scientific; his work is systematic his writings are analytical.

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