Liber III, Pars II — Quod tunc est optima civitates, et optimum regnum, et optimus populus, quando est in multis personis mediis constitutus. Cap. XXXIII.

Liber III, Pars II — Quod tunc est optima civitates, et optimum regnum, et optimus populus, quando est in multis personis mediis constitutus. Cap. XXXIII.

In the fourth book of the Politics, the philosopher states that there must be three parts to a city. For some are indeed very wealthy, others are very poor, and there are others who are in between. Therefore, in this way, since the city is divided into three parts, any population or kingdom can be divided in the same manner. The intention of this chapter is to show that a city and a kingdom are best when the population consists of many people in the middle class. The philosopher also touches on this in the fourth book. In the fourth book, he outlines four ways in which a better state can be established, or a better kingdom and city, if there is a population abundant in the middle class. The first way is derived from the fact that such a population lives more reasonably. The second is that there is a greater love among them. The third reason is that there is greater equality there. The fourth reason is that there is less envy and less contempt there. The first way is clear. For if there are many very rich people in a population, and many very poor, with only a few people in the middle, it will be difficult or even impossible for them to live reasonably. Indeed, the very rich often do not know how to behave reasonably towards the very poor, and when a minor occasion arises, it can harm them significantly. Similarly, the very poor often do not know how to behave reasonably towards the excessively rich, and they plot against them, seeking ways to cunningly and secretly seize their goods. But if there are many middle-class people in the population, such harmful effects will cease, and they will easily obey reason. This is what is said in Book 4. The best political system is one where there is a balance of wealth, as a middle class is more conducive to rational governance. For if one part of the city is extremely wealthy, powerful, and rich, while another part is extremely poor, weak, and very lowly, it is difficult to maintain a rational order. Indeed, the powerful will become unjust, while the very poor will become desperate, cunning, and secretly plot against the wealthy. The second way is derived from mutual love, which should exist among those living in the same kingdom or city. For as it is said, Politic. The poor, indeed, have no love for the powerful, that is, the rich and influential; and these, as it is stated there, are very harmful to the city. Therefore, for mutual love to exist among citizens, it is good to have a surplus of middle-class individuals. The third way is derived from equality and justice, which must be upheld in the city; for as the philosopher says, those who exceed in wealth, power, riches, and friends, and in other such goods, do not know how to submit. But those who are in excess are the needy and the poor; they do not know how to lead. Therefore, if the people are made up solely of two groups, the excessively rich and the excessively poor, and if there are few or no middle-class people there, it will be difficult to maintain equality and justice, but the rich will completely want to lead and dominate others. Others, however, create discord against those who shine, and if the poor happen to gain power, because they do not know how to lead, the rich and powerful will treat them badly. The fourth way is established to avoid envy and contempt. For the poor (as it is said in the fourth book), The fourth book states this. They greatly envy the rich, and the rich greatly despise them: there is no society that lasts well where there is much envy and contempt. Therefore, the best society is one made up of many middle-class individuals, because then they can live together reasonably and with ease, caring for one another, maintaining equality and justice among themselves, and there will be no contempt or envy between them. For no one will have anything to look down on another for, nor will anyone begrudge another who seems to be their equal, and there won't be a great disparity among them. This is confirmed by the authority of Solon, Charondas, and Licurgus, who spoke about the importance of a balanced society. For they said that such a society should be established from middle-class individuals. Therefore, it is fitting for kings and leaders to take precautions so that many middle-class individuals thrive in their kingdom; so that the remaining wealthy do not become excessively rich while others fall into extreme poverty. This can happen if citizens are not allowed to sell their ancestral possessions for any reason, nor should anyone be allowed to buy any possessions indiscriminately. With due diligence regarding the buying and selling of land and property, a certain level of equality can be maintained among the citizens.