Anti laborer or craftsmen — the mechanics.
In this context, Aristotle’s use of “mechanics” in his discussion of citizenship in the “best state” reflects his view on the role and status of different classes of people in a political community. Mechanics, in ancient Greek society, typically referred to manual laborers or craftsmen. Aristotle’s political philosophy, as outlined in “Politics,” suggests a hierarchical view of society where not everyone was deemed suitable for citizenship.
Aristotle argued that the best state is one where citizens are able to participate in deliberative and judicial functions. He believed that for one to engage effectively in these functions, they must have leisure time and not be preoccupied with the basic task of earning a living. Mechanics, being manual laborers, were thus seen as too preoccupied with their work to fully participate in the political life of the state.
His view reflects the values of his time, where manual labor was often not held in high esteem, and political participation was seen as a function of the leisure class. This perspective contrasts sharply with extreme democracies and some oligarchies, which were more inclusive of various social classes, including mechanics, in political participation.
Aristotle acknowledges that circumstances, such as the need for a larger pool of people to participate in governance or military service, might force these states to extend citizenship to mechanics. This necessity, however, was seen as a deviation from the ideal.
This analysis of “mechanics” in Aristotle’s political theory underlines his belief in a structured, hierarchical society where political privilege is tied to one’s role and status within the societal framework. It also highlights a tension between the ideal state (as Aristotle saw it) and the practicalities and realities of running a diverse and complex society.
Mechanics will not be citizens in the best state. Extreme democracies, and some oligarchies, neglect this rule. But circumstances oblige them to do this. They have no choice.
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How are we to define a citizen? He is more than a mere denizen; private rights do not make a citizen.
Start off with defining, definitions?
Political power … power in the polis, the city?
Good citizen vs good man?
Citizenship is moral training.
The good citizen may not be a good man; the good citizen is one who does good service to his state, and this state may be bad in principle. In a constitutional state the good citizen knows both how to rule and how to obey. The good man is one who is fitted to rule. But the citizen in a constitutional state learns to rule by obeying orders. Therefore citizenship in such a state is a moral training.