Restoring the Distinctiveness of Politics: On the Political and the Forms of Rule

We argue that the current understanding of politics is caught in a tug war between “economistic” and “postmodern” views, neither which captures distinctiveness political rule consequently instills confusion among citizens misplaced expectations from leaders. Drawing largely on Aristotle, who warned precisely against this error, we consider logic mastery contrast it to paternal rule. Then discuss voluntary nature economic activity distinguish involuntary mastery, before turning proper, combination or mixture these two nevertheless makes qualitatively distinct. These distinctions help us better appreciate what likeness economic, one hand, paternal, other while realising not exhausted by either alone. The paper seeks show finds itself as an in-between condition balances despotic, kind care points to.