Politeia: Difference between revisions
unlinking. Target deleted per VfD decision |
Pmanderson (talk | contribs) +Ath. Pol. |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
'''''Politeia''''' (πολιτεία) is an [[Ancient Greek]] word with no |
'''''Politeia''''' (πολιτεία) is an [[Ancient Greek]] word with no single English translation. Derived from the word [[polis]] it is an important term in Ancient Greek political thought, especially that of [[Plato]] and [[Aristotle]]. |
||
The principal meaning of ''politeia'' was "how a ''[[polis]]'' is run; [[constitution]]". A ''politeia'' differs from modern written consitutions in two respects: Not all Greek states put their laws in writing. More importantly, the Greeks did not mormally distinguish between ordinary and constitutional legislation. If a certain body had the power to change the laws, it had the power to change the laws controlling its own power and membership - even to abolish itself and set up a new governing body. ''Politeia'' is the original title of the book now universally known as ''[[The Republic]]''. |
|||
One translation is [[constitution]], but the ''politeia'' is not a written document and may not even be a formal arrangement. It can also be translated as [[government]], but this can also be misleading. More accurate, but lengthy, is ''system of government''. By far the most common modern translation is ''[[regime]]'', though with none of the pejorative connotations the word sometimes has in modern English. |
|||
The phrases ''system of government'', ''form of government'', and, more recently, ''régime'' have also been used to translate ''politeia''. ''Régime'' has drawbacks: It is ambiguous where ''politeia'' is not, since a change of ''régime'' can mean a change of governors under the same form of government. It has a negative tone in English, which ''politeia'' does not in Greek. And, if a loan-word is to translate ''politeia'', why not use politeia itself? |
|||
| ⚫ | A |
||
In the [[Constitution of the Athenians]], Aristotle uses ''politeia'' for eleven states of the Athenian government up to his own time, from the [[absolute monarchy]] of [[Ion]] and the [[tyranny]] of the [[Thirty tyrants|Thirty]] to the democratic [[Assembly]] and selection by lot of [[Pericles]]'s time and his own. (He may have added that the absolute monarchy of Ion was "less political" <!--[Loeb translation]--> than that of Theseus or the later constitutions; but the text is doubtful.) |
|||
In the [[Politics (Aristotle)|Politics]], Aristotle clearly uses ''politeia'' in a more restricted sense. Exactly what this sense is, and whether Aristotle is using it in a consistent manner, have both been long debated. By careful choice of quotation, all of the following can be defended: |
|||
| ⚫ | *A specific form of government. Aristotle classified constitutions on two grounds: how many citizens had a voice in making the laws; and whether they did so considering the good of all citizens, or only their own. Along with [[monarchy]] and [[aristocracy]] ''politeia'' is one of the three virtuous forms of government. While monarchy is the rule by the one, and aristocracy by the few, politeia is rule by the many. |
||
*A constitution that does not fit into this six-fold classification, because it has features of more than one of them: the constitutions of [[Carthage]], [[Sparta]], and "[[Crete]]" - which of the several Cretan cities he is thinking of is also debatable. |
|||
*A constitution in which the [[hoplite]]s governed. This is more restrictive than the Athens of Aristotle's time. Athens was a naval power, and many citizens were allowed to vote, and served the state well in war, who could not afford massive metal armor. |
|||
Why Aristotle uses the same term to refer two distinct ideas has confused readers for millennia. For instance later Aristotle refers to the ideal politeia as one using a [[mixed government]]. But it is uncertain whether he is referring to governments in general or to the specific form mentioned earlier. |
Why Aristotle uses the same term to refer two distinct ideas has confused readers for millennia. For instance later Aristotle refers to the ideal politeia as one using a [[mixed government]]. But it is uncertain whether he is referring to governments in general or to the specific form mentioned earlier. |
||
Some translators thus use a different term for this second meaning of ''politeia''. Most common is the vague term [[polity]]. More specific is translating it as ''constitutional democracy''. Some also use the term [[republic]]. Other translators feel it is incorrect to translate the same word in two different ways, arguing that the ambiguity must have been deliberate and that it is impossible to always know which way the word should be rendered. |
Some translators thus use a different term for this second meaning of ''politeia''. Most common is the vague term [[polity]]. More specific is translating it as ''constitutional democracy''. Some also use the term [[republic]]. Other translators feel it is incorrect to translate the same word in two different ways, arguing that the ambiguity must have been deliberate and that it is impossible to always know which way the word should be rendered. |
||
[[Cicero]] translated ''politeia'' as ''[[res publica]]'' (see also: ''[[De re publica]]'') and it is from this that the current name of Plato's work comes. Note that the meanings the ancient Romans attached to ''res publica'' were also multiple and only partially overlapping with the Greek ''politeia'', and further that |
[[Cicero]] translated ''politeia'' as ''[[res publica]]'' (see also: ''[[De re publica]]'') and it is from this that the current name of Plato's work comes. Note that the meanings the ancient Romans attached to ''res publica'' were also multiple and only partially overlapping with the Greek ''politeia'', and further that few of the multiple meanings of ''politeia'' or ''res publica'' are much of an equivalent to ''[[republic]]'' as it is understood in modern political science. |
||
Revision as of 00:03, 17 May 2005
Politeia (πολιτεία) is an Ancient Greek word with no single English translation. Derived from the word polis it is an important term in Ancient Greek political thought, especially that of Plato and Aristotle.
The principal meaning of politeia was "how a polis is run; constitution". A politeia differs from modern written consitutions in two respects: Not all Greek states put their laws in writing. More importantly, the Greeks did not mormally distinguish between ordinary and constitutional legislation. If a certain body had the power to change the laws, it had the power to change the laws controlling its own power and membership - even to abolish itself and set up a new governing body. Politeia is the original title of the book now universally known as The Republic.
The phrases system of government, form of government, and, more recently, régime have also been used to translate politeia. Régime has drawbacks: It is ambiguous where politeia is not, since a change of régime can mean a change of governors under the same form of government. It has a negative tone in English, which politeia does not in Greek. And, if a loan-word is to translate politeia, why not use politeia itself?
In the Constitution of the Athenians, Aristotle uses politeia for eleven states of the Athenian government up to his own time, from the absolute monarchy of Ion and the tyranny of the Thirty to the democratic Assembly and selection by lot of Pericles's time and his own. (He may have added that the absolute monarchy of Ion was "less political" than that of Theseus or the later constitutions; but the text is doubtful.)
In the Politics, Aristotle clearly uses politeia in a more restricted sense. Exactly what this sense is, and whether Aristotle is using it in a consistent manner, have both been long debated. By careful choice of quotation, all of the following can be defended:
- A specific form of government. Aristotle classified constitutions on two grounds: how many citizens had a voice in making the laws; and whether they did so considering the good of all citizens, or only their own. Along with monarchy and aristocracy politeia is one of the three virtuous forms of government. While monarchy is the rule by the one, and aristocracy by the few, politeia is rule by the many.
- A constitution that does not fit into this six-fold classification, because it has features of more than one of them: the constitutions of Carthage, Sparta, and "Crete" - which of the several Cretan cities he is thinking of is also debatable.
- A constitution in which the hoplites governed. This is more restrictive than the Athens of Aristotle's time. Athens was a naval power, and many citizens were allowed to vote, and served the state well in war, who could not afford massive metal armor.
Why Aristotle uses the same term to refer two distinct ideas has confused readers for millennia. For instance later Aristotle refers to the ideal politeia as one using a mixed government. But it is uncertain whether he is referring to governments in general or to the specific form mentioned earlier.
Some translators thus use a different term for this second meaning of politeia. Most common is the vague term polity. More specific is translating it as constitutional democracy. Some also use the term republic. Other translators feel it is incorrect to translate the same word in two different ways, arguing that the ambiguity must have been deliberate and that it is impossible to always know which way the word should be rendered.
Cicero translated politeia as res publica (see also: De re publica) and it is from this that the current name of Plato's work comes. Note that the meanings the ancient Romans attached to res publica were also multiple and only partially overlapping with the Greek politeia, and further that few of the multiple meanings of politeia or res publica are much of an equivalent to republic as it is understood in modern political science.