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.
Based on the Jowett translation revised by Jonathan Barnes, this edition includes a select bibliography, notes,
a guide to the main events of Aristotle's life and an analytic introduction.