Question

14. Analyze the normal and specific measures to prevent revolutions.​

Answer 1

Methods to Prevent Revolutions:

Aristotle in order to ensure that there are lesser chances of revolutions suggested the following methods to prevent them:

Aristotle called upon the kings to believe in one principle maxim that ‘prevention is better than cure’. He wanted the rulers to obey laws even in smallest matters. He believed that transgression, of even in small amounts, would sooner or later result in total disre­spect and violation. Further taking cue from the rulers, if people start breaking the laws, the entire social order would be at stake.

He strongly advised the rulers that they must believe that they can fool some people all the time, all the people for some time and not all the people all the time. In other words, people should not be taken for granted, and sooner or later they will explode with suddenness that might take the rulers by surprise.

He also stated that the rulers must provide due care to all those people in their domain. They should not discriminate between the officer and commoner, between governing and non-governing and the like. The principle of democratic equality must be followed.

Further, every citizen must be given a chance to express their opinions about the government and that the tenure of the officials must be short-term. By this method, oligarchies and aristocracies would not fall into the hands of the families.

As the internal feuds among the rulers would sap the energy and unity of a state, the ruler must be on constant vigil and keep all quarrels and seditions among rulers at a distance. No person or official should either be raised to the highest position or suddenly stunned. There has to be a balance.

Those who have acquired too much wealth or amassed great wealth must be ostracized or banished and no single society should be allowed to establish its dominance over the other. To achieve this, offices must be given to the opposite elements like the rich and the poor, in order to maintain a balance. Aristotle further stated that public offices must not be made lucrative. By doing this, the poor would not be attracted and the rich might occupy them without any additional advantage.

The poor then stick to their work and grow rich, and the rich would occupy offices without getting richer. Under these conditions, the poor would have satisfaction that they all have jobs, and the rich, on the other hand, would be satisfied that they occupied high positions.

Thus, democracy and aristocracy would be combined to pro­duce a stable polity. The retiring officer should hand over the charge of public funds to another in public, and the officers whose performance was good must be honoured.

Finally, Aristotle argues that a correct system of education is the most effective instrument for curbing the revolutionary instinct and preserves social order.