Aristotle's Politics: A Critical Guide

Arguably the foundational text of Western political theory, Aristotle's Politics has become one of the most widely and carefully studied works in ethical and political philosophy. This volume of essays offers fresh interpretations of Aristotle's key work and opens new paths for students and scholars to explore. The contributors embrace a variety of methodological approaches that range across the disciplines of classics, political science, philosophy, and ancient history. Their essays illuminate perennial questions such as the relationship between individual and community, the nature of democratic deliberation, and how to improve political institutions. Offering groundbreaking studies that both set Aristotle within the context of his own time and draw on contemporary discussion of his writings, this collection will provide researchers with an understanding of many of the major scholarly debates surrounding this key text. 

 Introduction Thornton Lockwood and Thanassis Samaras; 1. Is politics a natural science? Pierre Pellegrin; 2. On logos and politics in Aristotle Jill Frank; 3. Political rule over women in Politics I Marguerite Deslauriers; 4. Politics II: political critique, political theorizing, political innovation Thornton Lockwood; 5. Politeia in Greek literature, inscriptions, and in Aristotle's Politics: reflections on translation and interpretation J. J. Mulhern; 6. Aristotle and the question of citizenship Thanassis Samaras; 7. Aristotle, political decision making, and the many Christopher Bobonich; 8. The 'mixed regime' in Aristotle's Politics Ryan Balot; 9. Little to do with justice: Aristotle on distributing political power Eckart Schutrumpf; 10. Aristotle on the corruption of regimes: resentment and justice Arlene W. Saxonhouse; 11. Aristotle on improving imperfect cities Pierre Destree; 12. Nature, history and Aristotle's best possible regime Josiah Ober.