Aristotle is usually classified as a "classical republican," which is more misleading than helpful, given contemporary American political party names. A "classical republican" is typically contrasted with a "classical liberal," which only makes matters worse, given contemporary political (ab)uses of the "L-word."
So here is a quick-and-dirty (read: not entirely adequate) brief account of what these terms are supposed to mean. A classical liberal is one who tends to think in terms of maintaining limits on the government's power to interfere in individual people's liberties. (A term related here that is also important in contemporary rhetoric is "libertarian.") Classical republicans tend to think in terms of what would make the best and most effective (or most admirable or choiceworthy) constitution, such that the entire welfare of the community is the primary consideration.
In contemporary political debates, no sides (right, left or center) map perfectly onto this distinction. In general, considerations of such things as "basic human rights" tend to fall on the classical liberal side.... In general, however, I would characterize most political discourse in American politics as mostly saturated with classically liberal elements and with attempts to shape governments with concerns for individual liberties prominentl... [emphases added]
oops.
