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Which forms of government did Aristotle consider corrupt?
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Political philosophy
Diorite stela inscribed with the Code of Hammurabi, 18th century bce.
In his political philosophy, Aristotle classified forms of government based on the number of rulers and whether they governed in the interest of the common good or in their own self-interest. He identified three forms of government as corrupt because the rulers prioritize their own interests over the welfare of the polis.123
These corrupt forms are:
- Tyranny: The corrupt counterpart to monarchy, where a single ruler governs for their own benefit.12
- Oligarchy: The corrupt counterpart to aristocracy, where a minority group (typically the wealthy) rules in its own interest.12
- Democracy: In Aristotle’s specific classification, this is the corrupt counterpart to a polity. He defined it as "mob rule," where the majority governs solely in its own interest rather than for the common good.142
Aristotle believed that while legitimate systems—monarchy, aristocracy, and polity—aim to promote human flourishing, these perverted forms represent an abuse of power that neglects the common good.342