Aristotle on Revolutions:

Varying degrees of Revolutions:

Revolution may take the form of a change of constitution or without changing constitution.
May make oligarchy or democracy more or less oligarchic or democratic.
May be directed or not directed against government or an institution or a set of persons.

General causes of Revolutions:

1). Men desire for equality (different to different people). 2). Inequality of possessions.
3). Abuse of Govt: 4). Absence of Middle class 5). Gain, honor & equality. 6). Discrepancy b/w the actual political ability and the actual political power held by different classes of citizens. 7). Desire to have the equality of opportunity.

Remedy: Mixed (democratic & oligarchic) constitution.

Particular Causes:
Love of gain, love of honor, fear, disproportionate increase in some part of the state, election intrigue, nepotism and neglect of small changes.

Prevention of revolutions:

1). Inculcate the spirit of obedience to law 2). Avoid deceiving people 3). Avoid concentration of powers in one of few hands 4). No political offices of to strangers 5). Finances open to public.
A revolution to Aristotle is more a political than legal change.

Aristotle on Tyrants:

Vices of Tyrants:

1). Large number of spies. 2). Efficient system of espionage. 3). Military aggression to divert people attention from internal domestic policy.
4). Promotion of distrust and hostility among different classes. 5). Destroys the intellectual life of citizens to avoid political speculations.
6). Semblance of beneficent rule and concern for art and religion.

Aristotle on Democracy:

It is based on two principles: freedom and majority rule.
To him, democracy is a form of government in which supreme power is in the hands of freemen.
The aggregate virtue and ability of the mass of the people was greater than the a part of the population.
Was in favor of vague sort of democracy, means aristo-democracy of free citizens while he condemns the extreme democracy i.e. mobocracy.