proof that slavery is natural. Aristotle states that there are several kinds of rule "Despotical", "constitutional", "royal" (I, 1254 b4-5). Rule over slaves is only one kind. In book VII of the Politics, Aristotle views that the virtuous (chapters 4-8) should hold power. "Rule" is something complex, done by means of many organs, control over which may be allocated in various ways to various sections of the population. Artisans or employees in farming or industry are instruments; human beings who are means to production of artifacts. "The citizens should not live the life of a vulgar craftsmen [artisans] or tradesmen. For lives of these sorts are ignoble and inimical to virtue" (VII, 1328 b40). Citizens live the life of virtuous activity, and farmers and artisans, who cannot live such a life, are excluded from citizenship. "Nor should those who are going to be citizens engage in farming, since leisure time is needed to develop virtue and to engage in political actions" (VII, 1328 b40-42).The deliberative assembly should consist of the warriors, or older men of the warrior class. For those who control the weapons also control whether a constitution will survive or not" (VII, 1329 a12) This is just, and is founded upon a principle of conformity to merit. Various governmental functions are shared by the elders, while the men of military age perform the function of defending the Polis and are trained in the administration which they are to exercise later in life (VII, chapter 14). The ruling class should be the owners of property, for they are citizens, the citizens of a state should be in good circumstances. Artisans or any other class, which is not a producer of virtue, has no share in the state.In Aristotle's view, the significant dividing line in politics is between rich and poor. The best practicable constitution will be one in which the interests of these two groups are balanced in a fusion of democracy and oligarchy; it is best becau...
