The Politics of Aristotle

1. read the book, which consists of 13 sections, and the first 5 sections of the second book. (The books are essentially chapters.) In his Politics, Aristotle claims that society is naturally composed of families and households. Which elements of Aristotle’s “household management” are still practiced in society today? Should any of these practices be abandoned? Which ideas have been forgotten? And should any of these be revived? Are any aspects of the worldview that Aristotle presents here undeniably true? Or categorically false? How are Aristotle’s ideas relevant for managing contemporary society?
2. read chapters I, II, III, (most of) V & VI from Book 1. Adam Smith begins his Wealth of Nations by analyzing the role of labor in shaping value. How does a community or nation generate wealth for itself? How, according to Smith, are the values of goods and services determined? What role does the division of labor play in an economy? What are the side-effects, disadvantages or unintended consequences of this economic model?