The politics

Translator's introduction, T.A. Sinclair: Aristotle's life and work; Aristotle's politics in the past; Aristotle's politics today. Reviser's introduction, T.J. Saunders: a modern report on the politics; teaching and research in the Lyceum; the contents and structure of "The Politics"; Aristotle's philosophical assumptions; why read "The Politics"; the revised translation - principles of revision, translation of key terms, refractory terms, italicized prefaces to chapters, numerical references. "The Politics" Book 1: the state of an association; the state exists by nature - the two "pairs", formation of the household, formation of the village, formation of the state, the state and the individual; the household and its slaves; the slave as a tool; slavery as part of a universal natural pattern; the relation between legal and natural slavery; the nature of rule over slaves; the natural method of acquiring goods; natural and unnatural methods of acquiring goods; the proper limits of household - management - the unnaturalness of money-lending; some practical considerations - especially on the creation of monopoly; brief analysis of the authority of husband and father; morality and efficiency in the household. Book 2: introduction to ideal states - how far should sharing go?; extreme unity in Plato's "Republic"; extreme unity is impractical; further objections to community of wives and children; the ownership of property; criticisms of Plato's laws; the constitution of Phaleas; the constitution of Hippodamus; criticisms of Spartan constitution the Helots. (Part contents)