Political Ideology of Aristotle and It’s Connection to Operation of Good Governance and Peaceful Living in Nigeria

Abstract

Philosophers have played significant roles in understanding the historical development of man, societal changes and events that had been guided by their thought and thinking. This paper, therefore, is an attempt to study how the ideas of Aristotle's political philosophy can help Nigerian political leaders in giving maximum happiness to the citizens by providing an environment of sustainable peace and other related social services to the citizens. The objective is to analyze the relevance of Aristotle's political ideas to the art of governance and leadership in Nigeria. As Nigerian political leaders struggle to provide welfare to the citizens, it will be important to adopt some of the philosophical premises advocated by great philosophers like Plato and Aristotle to the process of governance. The study made use of secondary sources of information as to its methodology. The study has found out that if Nigerian political leaders will apply Aristotle’s political ideas such as his prescription on the duties of state, the importance of education to the citizens and the idea of private property to the art of governance, then there is need for contemporary elected leaders of Nigeria to be able to give maximum happiness to the citizens through the provision of conditions for peaceful environment and providing for basic social amenities which are relevant to improving lives of the general members of the society.