As we see that every city is a society, and every society Ed. is established for some good purpose; for an apparent [Bekker 1252a] good is the spring of all human actions; it is evident that this is the principle upon which they are every one founded, and this is more especially true of that which has for its object the best possible, and is itself the most excellent, and comprehends all the rest. Now this is called a city, and the society thereof a political society; for those who think that the principles of a political, a regal, a family, and a herile government are the same are mistaken, while they suppose that each of these differ in the numbers to whom their power extends, but not in their constitution: so that with them a herile government is one composed of a very few, a domestic of more, a civil and a regal of still more, as if there was no difference between a large family and a small city, or that a regal government and a political one are the same, only that in the one a single person is continually at the head of public affairs; in the other, that each member of the state has in his turn a share in the government, and is at one time a magistrate, at another a private person, according to the rules of political science. But now this is not true, as will be evident to any one who will consider this question in the most approved method. As, in an inquiry into every other subject, it is necessary to separate the different parts of which it is compounded, till we arrive at their first elements, which are the most minute parts thereof; so by the same proceeding we shall acquire a knowledge of the primary parts of a city and see wherein they differ from each other, and whether the rules of art will give us any assistance in examining into each of these things which are mentioned.
We see that every city is a community, and every community Ed. is established for some good purpose. For what seems [Bekker 1252a] good motivates all human action. Clearly, then, every community is founded on this principle. This is especially true of the community that aims at the highest possible good. That community is itself the highest form of community and includes all the others. We call it a city, and its community a political community. Those who think political rule, royal rule, household management, and a master's rule over slaves follow the same principles are mistaken. They suppose these forms of rule differ only in the number of people governed, not in their nature. In their view, a master's rule covers very few people, household management covers more, and political and royal rule cover still more. This is as if there were no difference between a large household and a small city. They also suppose royal and political rule are the same, with only one difference. Under royal rule, one person is always in charge of public affairs. Under political rule, each citizen takes a turn in government. Each is sometimes a public official and sometimes a private citizen, according to the rules of political science. But these views are not true, as anyone who examines the question by the best method will see. In any other inquiry, we must separate a subject into its parts until we reach its smallest, most basic elements. By following the same method, we will learn the basic parts of a city and see how they differ. We will also see whether systematic principles can help us examine each of the forms of rule mentioned.