Single Idea 87

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / a. Nature of democracy]

Full Idea

Friendships are most commonly found in democracies, because the citizens, being equal, have much in common.

Gist of Idea

Democracy is the best constitution for friendship, because it encourages equality

Source

Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1161b09)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Ethics (Nicomachean)', ed/tr. ThomsonJ A K/TredennickH [Penguin 1976], p.278


A Reaction

He also implies that friendship promotes democracy, presumably because friends prefer to be equals.