Aristotle's Politics is a key document in Western political thought. In
these first two books Aristotle shows his complete mastery of political
theory and practice, and raises many crucial issues still with us today.
In Book I he argues vigorously for a political theory based on 'nature'.
By nature, man is a 'political animal', one naturally fitted for life in
a polis or state. Some people, however, are natural slaves; and women
are by nature subordinate to men. Acquisition and exchange are natural,
but not trading for profit. In Book II he launches a sharp attack on
Plato's two 'utopias', the Republic and the Laws, and also criticizes
three historical states reputed to be well governed: Sparta, Crete, and
Carthage. This volume contains a close translation of these two books,
together with a philosophical commentary. It is well suited to the
requirements of readers who do not know Greek.