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Main Points Of Platos Republic:

centers on a simple question: is it always better to be just thanunjust?

provides an imaginary account (made-up dialogue?) of a goodcity on the grounds that a good city would be just

defines justice as a virtue of a city; defines justice as a virtue of ahuman being

argues that the just city and the just human being as he hassketched them are in fact good and are in principle possible

demonstrates that it is always better to be just than unjust

concludes that justice is both necessary and sufficient for

happiness

concludes that the just person is always happier than the unjust

claims that the just city should be ruled by a just individual: thephilosopher-king

claims that the best human life is ruled by knowledge andespecially knowledge of what goodness is and of what is good forhuman beings. So, too, is the best city

argues that philosophers make the ideal rulers for two main

reasons. First, they know what is good. Second, they do not wantto rule

suggests that the problem with existing cities is: they are ruledby people who are ignorant of what is good and just

argues that cities suffer from strife among citizens all of whomwantto rule (These flaws are connected: the ignorant aremarked by their desire for the wrong objects, such as honor andmoney, and this desire is what leads them to seek politicalpower.)

claims that All existing regimes, whether ruled by one, a few, ormany, show these defects (problems)

Summary: First, the best rulers are wise. Second, the best rulers rulefor the benefit of the ruled, and not for their own sake. Third, a city ishighly unlikely to have the best rulers, in part because there is a gapbetween the values of most people and the values of the wise. Fourth,the greatest harm to a city is disagreement about who should rule,

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since competing groups create civil strife. So, fifth, the goal of politicsis harmony or agreement among the citizens about who should rule.Last, harmony requires that the city cultivate virtue and the rule oflaw.

Main Points Of Aristotles Politics:

centers on a central argument: that human beings are by naturepolitical animals, who naturally want to live together

raises several issues: the role of human nature in politics, therelation of the individual to the state, the place of morality inpolitics, the theory of political justice, the rule of law, the analysisand evaluation of constitutions, the relevance of ideals topractical politics, the causes and cures of political change andrevolution, and the importance of a morally educated citizenry.

asks which constitutional form should the lawgiver and politician

establish and preserve

suggests that the most important task for the politician is, in therole of lawgiverto frame the appropriate constitution for thecity-state

believes the ideal city-state should have enduring laws, customs,and institutions (including a system of moral education) for thecitizens

claims that once the constitution is in place, the politician needs

to take the appropriate measures to maintain it, to introducereforms when he finds them necessary, and to preventdevelopments which might subvert the political system

defines the constitution as "a certain ordering of the inhabitantsof the city-state"

suggests the constitution is also "the way of life" of the citizens

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argues that a community of any sort can possess order only if ithas a ruling element or authority (rulers are defined by theconstitution, which sets criteria for political offices)

suggests that the city-state comes into being for the sake of life

but exists for the sake of the good lifeand life or happiness isthe proper end [product] of the city-state

Summary: Aristotle claims that the city-state is neither a businessassociation to maximize wealth (as the oligarchs suppose) nor anagency to promote liberty and equality (as the democrats maintain).Instead, Aristotle argues, "the good life is the end [product] of the city-state," that is, a life consisting of noble actions. Hence, the correct ideaof justice is aristocratic, assigning political rights to those who makefull contribution to the political community, that is, to those with virtueas well as property and freedom.