Aristotle and the Public Vote
Within many resources regarding the framing of the constitution of the United States are references to the concept that the framers utilized their understanding and research into philosophical writings on the issue of politics and government to develop what they thought would be the best foundation for this new government. One particular philosopher that is associated with the framing of the constitution is Aristotle, and particularly his writing Politics. This work will analyze five amendments to the US constitution through the Aritisotelian perspective. Amendments 15, 17, 17 22 and 24 will be viewed through this perspective, in an attempt to see if they are congruent to the plans of the framers. 1269a8 In addition, it is not even better to leave written laws unchanged. Just as it is impossible in the case of the other arts to write down everything accurately, so is it also in the case of political arrangement. For one must write in universal terms, but actions concern particulars.1269a12 So it is clear from these considerations that some laws sometimes must be changed, though as one looks at the question in another way, much caution would seem to be required. (58)Aristotle, himself, probably would have a
Within Politics there are many examples of what Aristotle believed to be the best way to elect officials to office. The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax. 1264a40 So suppose he makes the wives common but the possessions private. Who then will manage the household in the way their menfolk manage things in the fields? This same question would arise if the farmers' possessions as well as their wives were common. For in this way the populace will have a part in deliberation but will not be able to undermine anything that affects the regime. (226)This wisdom must have had a great deal of agreement in the frequently oligarchic regimes, in place in Aristotle's time and making sure that the leader of the nation, with all the checks and balances in place was not in place for so long that he could manipulate the situation to better meet his needs and the needs of his class or family. Aristotle suggests that, there is elitism in government and that to some degree that should be supported, as those who are the most successful are logically those who are the most wise, and they should be the majority in office. It would be difficult to judge, from Aristotle's writings how he would feel about the right of women to vote, as it would be difficult to conceive of women in this manner, in the culture and time of Aristotle. The result is that the latter do not know how to rule but only how to be ruled like slaves, and the former do not know how to be ruled in any way at all but only how to rule as masters. Taxing the rich was his way of offering a solution to this problem. Aristotle's discussion of taxes is limited though he makes it clear that there are necessary taxes, he does not imply that they should be levied in order to vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.
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