Single Idea 22589

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 7. Communitarianism / a. Communitarianism]

Full Idea

One should in no way think that any citizen belongs to himself alone, but that all of them belong to the city, each being part of the city.

Gist of Idea

Citizens do not just own themselves, but are also parts of the city

Source

Aristotle (Politics [c.332 BCE], 1337a27)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Politics', ed/tr. Reeve,C.D.C. [Hackett 2017], p.189


A Reaction

Note that they do not belong entirely to the city. I take this as an expression of his liberalism, which reminds liberals that we are also parts of a community, with a common good, and can't just go our own way.