The virtuous polity: Aristotle on justice, self-interest and citizenship

Aristotle's classification of regimes includes a regime called polity, a correct regime in which a multitude rules. How can a multitude rule in the common interest? Aristotle's basic answer is 'Because they have a share of virtue and wisdom.' Thus I ask 'What moral qualities do the citizens of polity have?' Answering this question leads us to consider what the functions of citizens are (Chapter 1), what broad claims are properly put forward as giving someone a claim to participate in government (Chapter 2), whether the citizens of polity are the middle class (Chapter 3), the relationship between wealth and virtue (Chapter 4), and the relationship between occupation and virtue (Chapter 5). I end by looking at the collectivity 'argument' (Chapter 6), where Aristotle states that a multitude of individuals with a share of virtue and wisdom can 'come together' and be as good in government as 'the best few'.; I find that the citizens of polity have military virtue and are at least habitually just and moderate. When the citizens are described by wealth and occupation rather than by character, those who are more wealthy and (more importantly) somewhat less wealthy, are also admissible as citizens, since some polities are mixes of oligarchy and democracy. In particular, farmers resemble the middle class closely enough to explain their admission into democratic-leaning polities.