Preventing Factions: Challenges to Aristotle's Preservation Claims in Book V of Politics

Aristotle claims that constitutions “which look only to the benefit of the ruler are mistaken” and deviations from correct constitutions (Politics, 1279a 16-21). He also claims that “democracies undergo change principally because of the wanton behavior of popular leaders” (Politics, 1304b 20-21). Rulers who do not aim for the common good of all in the city-state and instead seek to enrich themselves through self-interested rule may precipitate feelings of inequality, leading to the formation of factions within the city-state. His prescriptions in Book V center on preventing or correcting such self-interested leadership to prevent societal rifts. I will argue that not all negligent ruling is caused by self-interest or self-enrichment. There may be instances where the authority is mistaken about the correct course of action. Actions that prove detrimental to the city-state may be taken for reasons that resemble self-interest but are not necessarily driven by it.