Aristotle emphasized the reciprocal relationship between the character of the citizenry and the quality of the state. In his 'Politics', he argued that the state is a community of citizens, and therefore, the virtue of the state is dependent upon the moral and intellectual cultivation of its members.

Aristotle viewed justice as a virtue that governs human interactions within the polis. While he had specific views on citizenship, his broader ethical framework emphasized that justice involves giving each person their due. He argued that justice is essential for the stability of the state and should be applied to maintain the balance and harmony of the community as a whole.

After leaving Plato's Academy, Aristotle established his own school in Athens known as the Lyceum. It became a major center for research and teaching, where Aristotle and his students, known as the Peripatetics, engaged in systematic study across various disciplines, including biology, ethics, and political science.

Following the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE, anti-Macedonian sentiment surged in Athens. Fearing for his safety due to his close association with the Macedonian court, Aristotle chose to leave Athens and retire to his mother's estate in Chalcis, located on the island of Euboea, where he remained until his death shortly thereafter.

Callisthenes of Olynthus was a Greek historian and a student of Aristotle. He was the son of Hero, who was Aristotle's cousin, making Callisthenes the nephew of the philosopher. He famously accompanied Alexander the Great on his Asian campaign before falling out of favor.

In his work 'Politics', Aristotle argued that some individuals are 'natural slaves' who lack the capacity for rational deliberation and are therefore best served by being under the control of a master. He viewed this hierarchy as a functional necessity for the household and the state, framing it as a natural arrangement rather than a social construct or an injustice.

Aristotle conceptualized the state as the highest form of community. He believed that while families and villages provide for basic needs, the state is unique because it aims for the 'good life,' enabling citizens to achieve moral excellence, happiness, and self-sufficiency through political participation and justice.

Aristotle, in his work 'Politics', argued that the state is the final and most perfect form of human association. He traced the evolution of society from the family to the village, and finally to the polis (state). He viewed the state as a natural development, suggesting that the state is the culmination of the social instincts that begin within the family unit.

Ancient Greek city-states, particularly Athens, are celebrated for pioneering the practice of direct democracy. In these systems, eligible citizens participated directly in the decision-making processes of the state, including voting on legislation and judicial matters. This model stands in contrast to modern representative democracy, where citizens elect officials to make decisions on their behalf, making the Greek experience a foundational reference point for democratic theory.

George Herbert Sabine argued that Aristotle developed a general science of politics that could be applied to both ideal and flawed states. By separating political analysis from purely ethical goals, Aristotle provided a descriptive and empirical framework for statesmen to manage governance effectively, regardless of the moral quality of the regime in question.