Learning Objectives: 1.) To become acquainted with some of the ideas in Aristotle’s Politics and situate this within the context of Aristotle’s life. 2.) To understand the key assumptions that underlie Aristotle’s political thought. 3.) To elucidate on the necessary conditions of the state. 4.) To identify strands in Aristotle’s political thought with potential practical relevance to the conduct of politics and to our understanding of democracy.