In addition, the political scientist must attend to existing constitutions even when they are bad

In addition, the political scientist must attend to existing constitutions even when they are bad The political scientist should also be cognizant of forces of political change which can undermine an existing regime Aristotle notes that “to reform a constitution is no less a task [of politics] than it is to establish one from the beginning,” and in this way “the politician should also help existing constitutions” (IV.1.1289a17). Aristotle criticizes his predecessors for excessive utopianism and neglect of the practical duties of a political theorist. However, he is no Machiavellian. The best constitution still serves as a regulative ideal by which to evaluate existing systems. These topics occupy the remainder of the Politics. Books IVVI are concerned with the...