Aristocracy
Definition

Aristocracy is defined as the rule of the best. It is founded on the Greek words, ‘aristos’, which means ‘best’ and another Greek word, ‘kratein’, which means ‘ to rule’. Aristocracy is commonly a synonym for nobility and it is often hereditary. 

Origins

The foundation of Aristocracy began with the political works of Plato and Aristotle, central figures in Greek and European philosophy during ancient times. They viewed the Greek democracy as a disaster. They saw the leaders of the democratic government as the people least capable of making decisions. The two believed that the government should be led by the best of the society and the government should only consist of those with selflessness and moral education as well as a high intelligence level. In this blueprint of Aristocracy, there was no sign of it being hereditary. However, as Aristocracy slowly entered the Middle Ages, Aristocracy was influenced by theories of Monarchy. Many believed their monarch and nobles were by nature and hereditary more moral and civilized than the rest of the population. The best morally and intellectually were therefore the monarch and his nobles. This then evolved into a concept of hereditary aristocracy. Therefore, in early modern Europe, aristocracy consisted of the nobles or ruling classes of the society and also membership was no longer through achievement or intelligence but solely hereditary.

Pros of Aristocracy

Pros of Aristocracy would of course include that there would be people that was supposedly the best ruling the country, and if it was not hereditary, it would be always the best ruling the government, thus allowing the country to be guided and ruled in the correct direction.

Acropolis from the south west, in Athens. Aristocracy apparently originated from the Greeks.

Cons of Aristocracy

The bad points about Aristocracy would be the people will not have a say on who will lead their government. The best would be appointed by the current leaders then and their definition of ‘best’ could be inaccurate.

Another bad point would be that there would essentially be only one class of the society that would be able to have a chance to rule and lead. Those of the lower classes would have little chance to be able to join the government even though they might have the suitable moral and intelligence level. This would cause the government to lose many talents and would be detrimental to the country’s well being. Also, democratic systems can also be said to select the best people to lead the country, as people will vote only for who they think they are the best.

References

Aristocracy-Britannica Online Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2008, from www.britannica.com/eb/article-9009447/aristocracy .

Aristocracy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (2008, March 14). Retrieved March 22, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristocracy .

Aristocracy-Definition from the Merriam Webster online dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2008, from  http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aristocracy.

Aristocracy. (n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2008, from http://www.hyw.com/books/history/Aristocr.htm.

Hooker, R. (1999, July 14). Aristocracy. Retrieved March 22, 2008, from http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/GLOSSARY/ARISTOC.HTM.

Kautsky, J. H. (n.d.).  Aristocracy-Infoplease. Retrieved March 22,     2008 from ,  Web site:     http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0804705.html     

Ward, D. W. (2003).  Aristocracy. Retrieved March 22, 2008 from     Library of Halexandria,  Web site:     http://www.halexandria.org/dward339.htm

Drag me

A to Z government systems

A system where a Government is unnecessary and undesirable whichmeans that everything is based on voluntary cooperation by individuals and groups

A system where a Government is unnecessary and undesirable which means that everything is based on voluntary cooperation by individuals and groups
One person who has absolute rule over a country or a state and is usually hereditary or they claim as being given divine right with or without advisors.
A system combining Anarchism and capitalism
A system where there is no State or capitalism
A system combing Anarchism and savagery where savagery means acceptance comes easily.
A system where there are no hierarchies such as political or economic hierarchies.
A system where labour is emphasized and thus it has trade unions that replace the State
A system where there is more democratic decision-making
A government with only a few people who are thought to be best qualified.
A system where the people vote on the legislation and executive bills instead of electing leaders to do it for them.
A concentration of power in a leader who is not constitutionally responsible to the people
A one person government.
A system that is ruled by enlightened monarchs.
A system that is suitable for Islams as this system represents the political unity of the Muslims
A system that combines republic and capitalism together.
A system where the health of the community is the first priority
A system where there is no such thing as a private property because the goods are owned by the government and is available to anyone if needed
A system where many opinions are taken into consideration before making decisions
The system of Constitutional Monarchy has a Head of State that does not change as the governments change and a Government. Only the elected Officials can pass laws, the Head of State acts as an advisor to the Officials.
Leaders are elected by the people but the leaders have a limited power over the people and must go according to constitutional laws
A system where there are civic assemblies which represents the country's economic, social, industry and cultural aspects
A system where the making of laws must arise from the public if not the law cannot be approved.
A system where there is democratic representations in a country without the use of elections.
A democratic republic is a country where there is freedom of speech, election and press.
A system where two rulers have equal shared absolute power over the country
Government organization or group in with unlimited power
A true democratic system where the people elect their leaders
System where ruler with absolute power over the country.
A system similar to that of tyranny where all is controlled by one man.
A system ruled by dukes or duchesses
A system combining Anarchism but with saving the environment as their first priority.
A monarchy whose ruler is elected by the people.
A monarchy that is Arab-suited
A system that concentrates on the society's welfare as a whole and thus seeks patriotism.
A system used by the medieval age where warriors and nobility rule.
A system where the oldest are the leaders
A system ruled by grand dukes or grand duchesses
A system where the power lies with the loser level of government such as the name suggests, grassroots
A system for the Jews because non-Jews would not be granted full citizenship.
A monarchy where the kingship is passed to the sons when the father dies.
A system with the Pope as its leader.
A system where the people elect their leaders but the leaders have the freedom to do what they want.
A system combining democracy with a religion, Islam
A name that is given to many Muslim countries
Government by those who want power and personal gain.
A system where judges rule and rules by natural rights
A system where judges rule but based on the judges opinions
A system where the people elect the leaders to make decisions for them.
A system which emphasizes on liberty, freedom for the people.
A system where absolute power is given to magicians and wizards
A government where females rule.
Government by those with talent.
A system where military force is used to establish freedom and liberty.
A military-based government that has absolute rule over the country
A system combining oligarchy, democracy and monarchy.
A democratic system where there are no government parties.
A small group which makes up the government which is usually corrupted and do things for their own sake.
Government by the majority.
A system where the people are allowed to coose whatever government system they want.
A system similar to the parliamentary system except that the head of state does not have that much power.
A system where the parliament checks on the executive branch of the government
A system where voting is limited and where politicians take care of the governing of the country
A system where the people vote on the legislation and executive bills instead of electing leaders to do it for them.
Timocracy, Government controlled by the rich.
A state where government uses police by means to control the life of the citizens.
A monarchy where the monarch's title is linked to the people.
A system where the executive branch is independent of the legislative branch.
A monarchy where the monarch's title is prince
A system combining democracy and religion
A system where the government is elected by the people and the government has the responsibility in acting in people's interest.
A system where there is restricted democracy
A system where robots rule
One person who proclaims himself as king which would usually lead to hereditary monarchy.
A system similar to that of a presidential system except for the fact that the president and prime minister gets involved in everyday decision-making.
A system where there is only 1 government party running the country and no other party is allowed to enter for elections.
A system combining socialism and democracy
A system that emphasizes on socialism that also has aspects of free market in its economy.
A democratic system where workers are represented in government too.
A system where the rulers are those highly-skilled and qualified.
Maritime (relating to navigation or commerce on the sea) government
Government of a state by divine rule, usually by people who are guided by the deities
Government of a state by God.
A democratic system where the leader is elected but has absolute rule.
Absolute state which the people must follow orders from.
Tribalism existed during the time of primitive men. Thus, it has a sense of primitive in it. However, it also emphasizes on communism and equality.
A government ruled by an oppressive and severely unjust ruler.
A system with administrative divisions governed by a person who is governed by the viceroy.
A system combining democracy and parliamentary system which is somewhat similar to the United nations is adopting
 
Quiz Time

Aristocracy is made up by the Greek words ‘aristos’ and _________





Aristocracy is and has always been hereditary




Plato and Aristotle saw the Greek democracy as a success and started the blueprints of aristocracy only to improve it further.