Political Theorists - Essay Example

Aristotle’s views on politics were based upon the politician as the main player in a political system. In this sense, the biggest role for the politician is the creation and putting in place laws. The laws collectively make up the constitution that governs the people of any given state. The constitution contains the laws, institutions, and customs of the people and shall determine the courses of action that shall be taken in cases of conflict. The politician’s role after the constitution is in place is to maintain it, introduce reforms when necessary, and prevent any developments meant to subvert the political system in general. Aristotle calls this the province of legislative science and holds it in higher regard than politics as it is exercised in the normal sense with the passing of mere decrees. Aristotle’s political theory is very influential and still influences today’s political landscape. It is evident that today’s politician's craft laws besides defending the course of the constitution. Any efforts that may subvert the political system in place are usually dealt with by the politician through bills and debates which involve voting just as Aristotle theorized.

Plato

            Plato was Aristotle's teacher, and their political theories are similar in many ways. His major political work was “The Republic” and it contained his ideas on an effective and efficient political system. His political system was majorly concerned with justice and defined every state in terms of its levels of justice. An efficient Platonian political system comprised of a merchant class that dealt with the economic structure, a military class that handled security, and a political structure in the hands of philosopher-kings. People’s classes should be determined by the educational process in place and available to the specific individual. Those who would have completed the educational process in whole would become philosopher-kings and they would make laws and govern over the land. This political system has lost influence with the changing times given that the current political system favors fewer individuals at the pinnacle of power and does not heavily rely on an individual’s level of education. Instead, the levels of education have been replaced with the individual’s level of experience in matters of governance or their influence in matters of wealth. Although education still plays a part in choosing leaders, it does not have as much influence as Plato theorized.

Locke

            John Locke’s “Second Treatise of Government” sealed his position as among the most influential political philosophers in the modern-day. He was of the idea that, by nature, all men are free and equal, and claims that God subjected people to a monarch were invalid.

He vouched for natural rights possessed by people of any kind regardless of their origin. His theory of a political system relied heavily on the separation of powers to different arms of the government. He describes the legislative power as being supreme about having the authority over the employment of the Commonwealth forces. Second in command is the executive power which enforces laws to the different circumstances in any given country. His third power is the federative power. The federative power is the “international right” to act by the laws of nature. In Locke's theory, therefore, the laws of nature as bestowed upon any human being should be given priority above anything else. This political theory is the most used in today’s political systems. Many governments have divided their functions between the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. In Locke’s view though, laws should not be determined by other humans but by nature as is naturally.

Hobbes

            Hobbes’ idea of a political system is one in “The State of Nature.” That would be a state without a government in place. It means that people would decide on their own what actions they deem best and be their judges, juries, and executioners in whatever conflicts that may arise. To Hobbes, this is “the condition of mere nature” and draws upon people's private judgment in their pure forms. Hobbes’ theory, as has been observed, has many aspects that are similar to those of John Locke. Even with this theory put forth, Hobbes concluded by saying that a system would not work given the nature of man. He said that this “dissolute condition of masterless (masterless) men, without subjection to Lawes (laws), and a coercive Power to tie (tie) their hands from rapine, and revenge” would render impossible all the benefits of a civilized and comfortable life. This political theory has found little application in today’s society with no known country emulating its principles. Instead, where this savagery exists even in small amounts, there are endless wars as seen in Congo and Somalia in Africa. Even in countries with a lot of freedom for their citizens such as the United States, a political system is in place to oversee all that goes on among its citizens.

Conclusion

            Finally, it can be noted that Plato and Aristotle's political theories share many similarities. They all vouch for people’s responsibility and base their doctrines on positive human qualities. On the other hand, Locke’s and Hobbes’ theories are much in favor of a lack of imposing laws on individuals. Instead, each person should be left to make their decisions as independent of external influence as possible. Of all these political theorists, the one whose theory is most influential in today’s society is John Locke.