Zoey Johnson, N/A 

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Title:

Political Friendship Across Types of Government

Abstract:

When it comes to defining a good political community or government, the most prudent question to ask is "How do we as people live well?" Aristotle analyzes how the aim of different regimes, education, and even political 'friendship' all enables citizens to live both a virtuous and contemplative life. It is important to understand how the values within different regimes shape their degree of civic friendship and virtues within the community. Therefore, I will talk about the influence different forms of government have on developing the character of citizens and how this can broaden our understanding of our current governments in place and their sociological effect on people and how they behave. Several governments that I will be looking at are what Aristotle coins as being "true" forms of government that seek to provide for the common interests versus deviations of these true forms of government that rule by self-interest.