Aristotle on Democracy

In recent years, modern democracy has faced significant challenges on a global scale, and the democratic chaos in the United States is particularly prominent. The riots at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, deeply revealed the fragility of democratic institutions, especially in the context of popular mood swings and political radicalization, which tend to deviate from their original purpose. The electoral crisis and social fragmentation in the United States reflect Aristotle's critique of democracy in his Politics: he argued that democracy often leads to the tyranny of the majority and that decisions are dictated by emotional crowds, which can ultimately harm the country's long-term interests[1]. As Tawney (2002) puts it, “In a democracy, the majority, driven by emotion, can make decisions that undermine the common good and the stability of the state "(p. 157).[5] Aristotle's idea of a "mixed polity", combining the advantages of democracy and aristocracy, could avoid such political imbalances and ensure rational governance and political stability. Finley (1973) pointed out that "the mixed constitution, combining the best elements of democracy and aristocracy, can prevent the degradation of political decision-making and contribute to a more stable and just society "(p. 210)[2]. By analyzing Aristotle's criticism of democracy and comparing it with the chaos of modern American democracy, this paper discusses how to improve the contemporary democratic system through the wisdom of ancient political philosophy, and puts forward suggestions for improving the balance between citizen participation and political rationality to enhance the effectiveness of democratic governance.