Aristotle argued that the middle class, or the 'mean,' is the most stable element of a polity. Because they are neither excessively wealthy nor destitute, they are less prone to factionalism and are more likely to follow the dictates of reason, thereby preventing the extremes of oligarchy and democracy.

Aristotle, the influential student of Plato and tutor to Alexander the Great, died in 322 B.C. in Chalcis, Euboea. His death occurred shortly after he fled Athens following the death of Alexander, which triggered anti-Macedonian sentiment in the city. His contributions to political science, ethics, and biology remain foundational to Western intellectual history.

Aristotle (384–322 BC) was a student of Plato and a foundational figure in ancient Greek philosophy. In contrast, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau were prominent social contract theorists who lived during the 17th and 18th centuries, marking the era of Enlightenment political thought.

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Aristotle is credited as the father of political science because he moved beyond purely speculative or idealist approaches. By systematically collecting and analyzing 158 constitutions, he applied empirical observation and rigorous classification to political phenomena. This methodology established the foundation for political science as a discipline based on evidence, observation, and logical analysis rather than just philosophical conjecture.

Aristotle utilized the hylomorphic theory to explain change and existence. He argued that matter (hyle) represents the potentiality of an object, while form (morphe) represents its actuality. Just as raw material has the potential to become a specific object, the form provides the actual structure or essence that defines what that object is. This framework is central to his metaphysics and understanding of natural substances.

Aristotle, in his Nicomachean Ethics, proposed the 'golden mean' as a virtue ethics theory. He argued that moral excellence is found by identifying the desirable middle ground between two extremes—one of excess and one of deficiency—thereby promoting balance and moderation in human character and action.

The roots of constitutional governance are found in Ancient Greece, particularly in the works of philosophers like Aristotle, who analyzed different forms of government and the importance of the rule of law. These early thinkers established the foundational concepts regarding the organization of the state and the necessity of legal frameworks to prevent tyranny.

Aristotle dedicated an entire book of his 'Nicomachean Ethics' to the analysis of justice, categorizing it into distributive and corrective forms. While Socrates and Plato also discussed justice extensively, Aristotle's systematic classification of justice as a political virtue remains a foundational element of his political theory and his analysis of the ideal state.

Aristotle categorizes justice into two primary types: particular justice, which deals with fairness in specific transactions or distributions, and general justice. General justice, often equated with 'complete virtue' in relation to others, represents the broader ethical requirement for citizens to act in accordance with the laws and the common good of the community.