Part 4/9:

Aristotle viewed governments as forms of living together, governed by rules, rituals, and habits—what he termed the “small C” constitution. The stability of these regimes depends on their virtuous practice and balance. When these principles falter, the cycle accelerates, leading to the decline of the political order.

Components of a Healthy Republic

Drawing inspiration from classical political philosophy, Spencer emphasizes that the key to safeguarding a republic lies in balance and civic friendship, or philia. The founders of the United States studied these philosophies deeply, establishing a system designed to play different powers—executive, legislative, and judicial—against each other to prevent any one branch from dominating.