The nature of ‘the best constitutional regime’ and virtuous friendship in Aristotle

Abstract

Aristotle discusses the ‘best constitutional regime’ in Books 7 and 8 of his work, Politics. The central concepts in this discussion are happiness and virtue. The combination of happiness and virtue finds its expression in virtuous friendship. The best constitutional regime assists individuals and society in reaching their highest potential, both individually and collectively. It provides the necessary institutional structure for the justice and welfare of society, which in turn fosters the development of virtuous friendships. According to Aristotle, the highest and most genuine relationship among people is ‘virtuous friendship’. Such friendships enable individuals to understand and support each other based on ethical values and to seek happiness together. This study argues that there is an identity between the nature of the best constitutional regime and virtuous friendship. This claim is based on the idea that the best constitutional regime is the perfect end (telos). In this sense, the perfect end is virtuous friendship.