Book 2: Chapter 2, Constitutions and Leaders Summary and Analysis

The vast majority of these sections are devoted to a more in depth study of constitutions. Here, Aristotle uses his personal experience in relation to the city-state of Athens and elsewhere. Unlike most, this philosopher had a direct hand in the creation of numerous constitutions, making these items an area of specialized knowledge. In some respect, a constitution is akin to the hub of a spoke wheel. Far from being the only laws to govern a land, its structure is crucial to the whole body of laws. Those who write constitutions are, writes Aristotle, statesmen, philosophers, and laymen.

The discourse begins with the introduction of an important predecessor. The man in question is Phaleas of Chalcedon. He is the one referred to as sending forth the idea of equal distribution of property. There...