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How did Aristotle use information about 158 Greek city-states to study government?

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The Code of Hammurabi diorite stela, with carved figures at the top showing Hammurabi seated with cuneiform inscriptions below. — Political philosophy Diorite stela inscribed with the Code of Hammurabi, 18th century bce.

Aristotle is widely considered the founder of political science because he introduced empirical observation into the study of government. Rather than relying solely on theoretical ideals, he directed his students to gather detailed descriptions of the laws and political institutions of 158 Greek city-states.123

By analyzing this vast collection of data, Aristotle sought to understand how these systems functioned in practice and where their founders had succeeded or erred. This research allowed him to formulate a famous sixfold typology of political systems, which categorized governments based on the number of people ruling (one, few, or many) and whether the rule was legitimate (governing for the common good) or corrupt (governing for the rulers' own interests).32

Through this empirical approach, he identified the strengths and weaknesses of various forms of government, such as monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy, ultimately arguing that a "mixed" constitution—or polity—was the most stable and effective arrangement.142