Are Human Beings Naturally Political?

  Introduction 

The current political systems and governments can be viewed to be rather sophisticated. Mature politics and democracies have led to successful development and continued progress in the country’s economy as well as other sectors. The rule of law and the constitution is highly regarded in the European and Western world. Developing countries such as those in Africa and some parts of Asia are quickly catching up with the continued social and political interaction. Since time immemorial human settlements have fallen into some part of leadership and governance. The few selected leaders bear the huge responsibility of representing the people they rule over as well as shaping their future by implementing progressive laws and policies. 

Democratic progress and justice have been on the rise. The current world has seen the abolishment of some rather inhumane acts. For instance, Abraham Lincoln strict stand on the abolishment of the slave trade was a good step towards establishing justice. Lawful punishments such as execution have also been eradicated by some states and many nations the world over. In recent times, many governments and other organizations have come together to aggravate the dangers of natural calamities such as earthquakes and hurricanes. Such of acts of humanity demonstrates that the human race is rather a rational being. However, many acts of large-scale violence such as wars, terrorism, and revolutions against governments could, in the same way, indicate their animalistic nature (Aristotle, n.d) . Political scholars of the past eras also came up with findings that could have supported this assertion. For instance, in the book, The Politics by Aristotle, slave and slave trade was openly accepted by all. The current human rights systems could quickly reject any forms of slave trade or abused labor. Leo Strauss also had divergent views on some political inclinations which are not applicable in the current world. His findings were based on the study of Machiavelli, a prominent leader. He found that some effective leadership involved some strict measurements such as using force. Ruling with an iron fist or being in a dictator in the modern world could lead to a public uprising with the motive to overthrow those in power. These incidents have been in countries such as Egypt and Libya. All these indicators point out to a common occurrence where human beings participate in politics; and this is manifested in various associations that include man and woman in marriages, master and slave, household and lastly village and city associations as supported by Aristotle’s arguments. It could, therefore, be ascertained that human beings are indeed naturally political. 

Man and Woman Association 

To make this argument more substantial, Aristotle based his philosophical findings on three arguments. The common phenomenon in some of these arguments is still evident today. For instance, Aristotle found out that people were more inclined to associating themselves with the opposite gender when they came of age. The main purpose of this kind of association was for reproduction. Other reasons for these associations was for companionship and for social status. This was the basic standard by which the family unit was composed of. This kind of social setting is still applicable in today’s world. Marriage is the communion by which a family is based on as it grows (Aristotle, n.d) . 

Master and Slave Association 

Slaves and slave trade was a normal occurrence during the era of Aristotle writings. In today’s world, however, slavery has been since abolished and forgotten. Slaves were viewed as objects and property together with women and children. They all belonged to the master who was usually of a masculine gender with all loyalty pledged to him. The master was to rule over the slaves, women, and children who were viewed as weaker in terms of wealth and inexperienced in life. Slaves were to offer their services labor and in some extremes, sexual deeds. In today’s world, the slave and master relationship is non-existence. However, a more mild and gentle form of this relationship is still evident. For instance, people do offer their services and expertise to make a living. Employees are under the employment of their bosses. The management or board of directors in a certain company does not have the ability or capacity to handle some of the jobs necessary in the operations of the company, hence hiring employees to handle this role (Aristotle, n.d) . 

Household, Village, and City Association 

The initial union between man and wife was, and still is the basis on which a family unit is brought up. A household is then formed through this union with children as the product. Different human beings in these families were still in need of others perhaps in a different location. Their continued interaction and settlement then led to the formation of villages. The amalgamation of villages then led to the formation of a polis or a city-state. Trading and craftsmanship were the main form of economic empowerment in this era. The case of a trader needing the services of another professional such as a healer is an instance that shows how necessary interaction between people was for survival. It is following this observation that Aristotle concluded that human beings living together was necessary. According to him living in seclusion was impossible and was only limited to God and beasts. A human settlement under a village setting turned into a polis or a city-state once it became self-sufficient. Some of the human behavioral trends outlined by Aristotle are still evident in today’s world with interactions such as urban migration and metropolitan expansions. Aristotle argues that city-states exist by natural associations. This finding, therefore, supports that human are naturally political. Modern scholars have refuted this claim. Political and philosophy academician argue that the city-states and metropolitan setting are not natural. If that were the case, a city would then grow as a plant. To the contrary, a city is composed of man’s hand works and crafts such as buildings and various infrastructure (Aristotle, n.d) . 

Aristotle and Leo's Arguments 

Aristotle also argues that human are naturally political beings due to their natural ability to speak. Human beings have the ability to communicate with others. They are able to dialogue and speak about justice, the good actions and the general virtues in their environment of existence. Governments should, therefore, avoid revolutions by offering education to appreciate the claims of justice. Aristotle's research mainly concentrated on the virtues and moral uprightness in the society as well as the general good of the public. Aristotle cut out a clear difference by contrasting human beings to bees. Bees live in colonies, a settlement that can be compared to the human villages. However, bees are not able to speak or express their views in any way (Aristotle, n.d) . 

With the constitution and law held in place, man has a potential for great good. Otherwise, a lawless nation results in chaos. Without the law, therefore, Aristotle concludes that man can be the worst of animals. Such a claim might hold water considering the many incidence of merciless revolutions and wars in the modern world. The precise verdict thus supports the claim that it is indeed true human beings are naturally political. Terming human beings as savages indicates that the human nature is not as strong for it might have certain political inclinations (Strauss, 2008). 

Leo Strauss was also a prominent political scholar whose discoveries are still applicable today. Leo’s studies were based on virtues and moral leadership. Patriotism is one of the notable virtues. However, as an ongoing process, such noble virtues have been replaced with immoral acts of leadership. With Machiavelli as his main subject of study, Leo concluded that use of force was an effective means of leadership. Machiavelli was viewed as a rather harsh leader but was able to conquer most of his enemies and new territories (Strauss, 2008). 

Conclusion 

Humans are the most rational and intelligent beings. Few crooked leaders have led to the distorting view that they are all corrupt and savages. The changing historical circumstances have seen a lot of changes in the political world. Democracy has been implemented as people continue to seek justice and peace. From all the findings in the past, it can be concluded that human beings indeed are naturally political. The current times also support this statement. This is largely because new generations continue to learn as we acquire political knowledge from the previous generations. It proves to be a difficult challenge to be politically neutral. 

References 

Aristotle. (n.d). The Politics of Aristotle. (Sir. E. William, Trans.). Oxford: The Clarendon Press. 

Strauss, L. (2008). What is political philosophy? Chicago: The Univ. of Chicago Press.