Malcolm Rivera
Plato, the renowned philosopher, is known for his critique of democratic government, which he viewed as inherently flawed and unsustainable. In his work, The Republic, Plato delves into the ideal state and its governance, presenting a classification of government types. He identifies democracy as one of four forms of government, including timocracy, oligarchy, and tyranny. Plato's classification suggests a sequence where each regime arises from the previous one, with democracy emerging from oligarchy when the poorer class revolts against the wealthy minority. Plato characterizes democracy as a supermarket of constitutions, where individuals have the liberty to pick and choose the rules that suit them, leading to a state of disorder. He argues that democracy undermines the expertise necessary for effective governance and that the state should be ruled by philosopher-kings with superior wisdom and moral character. Plato's skepticism of democracy stems from his belief in unity and order, where the democratic mob must be controlled by a rational element to prevent multiplicity and disorder.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Democracy is like a supermarket of constitutions | Plato believes that democracy is inferior to monarchy, aristocracy, and oligarchy. |
| Variety of constitutions | Plato argues that democracy tends to undermine the expertise necessary for governance. |
| Rule of the people | Plato claims that democracy brings leaders without proper skills or morals. |
| Equality | Plato asserts that the democratic "mob" must be controlled by a rational element. |
| Freedom | Plato suggests that democracy may lead to disorder and a lack of respect for the law. |
| Majority rule | Plato characterizes democracy as inherently flawed and unsustainable. |
| Ordinary citizens | Plato believes that some people are more intelligent and informed about political matters and thus should rule. |
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What You'll Learn
Plato's critique of democracy
Plato, the renowned Greek philosopher, is known for his critique of democracy, which he viewed as inherently flawed and unsustainable. In his work "The Republic", Plato delves into the ideal state and its governance, presenting a classification of government types. He identifies five forms of government: aristocracy, timocracy, oligarchy, democracy, and tyranny. According to Plato, democracy is inferior to other forms of government, such as monarchy, aristocracy, and oligarchy.
Another aspect of Plato's critique is his concern about the potential disorder and instability that democracy can bring. He believed that the emphasis on individual liberty in a democratic system could lead to a lack of control and generate a greater variety of "sorts and conditions of men" than any other form of government. Plato characterized democracy as a “mob,” suggesting a lack of unity and rational control. He also argued that the majority rule inherent in democracy could lead to a disregard for the rule of law and the rise of dictators, tyrants, and demagogues.
Plato's classification of government types reflects his belief in a single absolute ideal, with all other forms of government being deviations from that ideal. He saw democracy as a step above oligarchy, which he considered unjust due to its focus on wealth as the primary criterion for power. However, he also believed that democracy could lead to tyranny, the worst form of government, through the rise of manipulative leaders who exploit the people's desires for freedom and equality.
Plato's skepticism of democracy stems from his view that unity is the desired end goal of both individual and state constitution. He believed that a strict division of labor was necessary to maintain order, and that allowing individuals to exercise multiple functions would lead to the state's ruin. This belief in unity and order influenced his preference for a rule by philosopher-kings, who would ensure that the state functioned harmoniously, with each citizen fulfilling their designated role.
Overall, Plato's critique of democracy highlights his concerns about the capabilities of ordinary citizens to govern effectively, the potential for disorder and instability, and the risk of unchecked power leading to tyranny. His ideas continue to shape political philosophy and spark debates about the strengths and weaknesses of democratic systems.
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Plato's ideal rulers
Plato's ideal ruler is known as the philosopher king. The philosopher king is a hypothetical ruler who combines political skill with philosophical knowledge. In Plato's Republic, written around 375 BC, Plato argues that the ideal state – one that ensures the maximum happiness for all its citizens – can only be actualized by a ruler who possesses absolute knowledge, which is obtained through philosophical study.
Plato's philosopher king is not to be understood in a narrow sense. 'Philosophy', for Plato, is not a compartmentalized subject disconnected from worldly affairs, but a passionate desire to understand all there is. The philosopher king must be trained in physical education, music, and mathematics. Music, for instance, teaches the harmony of sounds, which can be applied to good political relationships. Plato's ideal ruler must govern with the relevant expertise, working towards the common good.
Plato's Socrates is highly critical of democracy, claiming that it is dangerous due to excessive freedom. In a system where everyone has a right to rule, selfish and power-hungry individuals can attain power. Instead, Plato proposes a hierarchical system of three classes: philosopher-kings or guardians who make the decisions, soldiers or "auxiliaries" who protect society, and producers or workers who create goods and perform other work.
Plato's idea of the philosopher king has been influential, with several historical figures, including Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, described as embodying this ideal. However, critics argue that Plato's concept is undemocratic and unrealistic, promoting rule by a benevolent dictator.
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Democracy as a regime
Plato's critique of democracy is based on his classification of government types, which includes aristocracy, timocracy, oligarchy, democracy, and tyranny. In his work "The Republic", Plato presents an ideal city-state ruled by philosopher-kings, who possess wisdom, moral character, and virtue—a form of aristocracy. He believed that the emergence of democracy from oligarchy occurs when the poorer class revolts against the wealthy minority, often led by a talented and manipulative individual.
Plato viewed democracy as inherently flawed and unsustainable, arguing that it tends to undermine the expertise necessary for effective governance. He claimed that most people lack the intellectual talents and political knowledge required to make informed decisions about complex political issues. In a democracy, politicians must appeal to the people's sense of right and wrong, leading to a state guided by poorly conceived ideas and manipulative appeals. Plato's concept of unity further shapes his critique, as he believed that the democratic "mob" must be controlled by a rational element to maintain order.
Plato's ideal rulers, the philosopher-kings, are selected based on their abilities and education, ensuring effective governance. He proposed that these rulers should live simply and communally, breaking free from societal norms by suggesting that women could rule alongside men. Additionally, Plato's ideal city is built on the principle of specialization, where each citizen has a specific role that aligns with their abilities and training, contributing to the community's well-being.
Plato's skepticism of democracy extends to his view of the potential risks it poses. He believed that democracy could bring dictators, tyrants, and demagogues to power, leading to a lack of control and a general disorder. He also argued that democracy fosters destabilizing dissension among citizens and politicians, resulting in a lack of responsibility for the quality of legislation.
Overall, Plato's critique of democracy as a regime stems from his belief in the superiority of philosopher-kings, the risks of unrestrained liberty, and the potential for disorder and poor governance in a democratic system.
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Ruling as a skill
Plato's critique of democracy is based on his belief that ruling is a skill that requires expertise and moral character. In his work "The Republic", Plato argues that democracy is inferior to other forms of government, such as monarchy, aristocracy, and oligarchy, because it undermines the expertise necessary for effective governance. He suggests that most people lack the intellectual abilities and political knowledge needed to navigate complex political issues.
Plato's ideal ruler is a philosopher-king, someone who possesses wisdom, virtue, and selflessness. He believed that ruling is a skill that should be left to those with the necessary abilities and education to excel in governance. In his view, the best constitution grants the right to rule to the most capable individuals or laws, rather than allowing every adult to exercise power, which could lead to mistakes and civil unrest.
Plato's concept of ruling as a skill is further reflected in his classification of government types. He identifies five forms of government: aristocracy, timocracy, oligarchy, democracy, and tyranny. Aristocracy, ruled by philosophers, is considered the most ideal, resembling a perfect city-state. Timocracy refers to the rule of those who prioritize honour and glory, while oligarchy is characterized by wealth as the primary criterion for power. Democracy, according to Plato, leads to majority rule, where freedom and equality are paramount. Finally, tyranny is seen as the worst form of government, where the whims of a single ruler become law.
Plato's scepticism towards democracy stems from his belief that it risks bringing dictators, tyrants, and demagogues to power. He argues that democracies often produce leaders without the necessary skills or morals, and that the best-equipped individuals may not rise to power. He uses the analogy of a ship to illustrate this point, where the sailors, despite their lack of navigation skills, argue over who should control the helm.
Plato's emphasis on ruling as a skill leads him to propose a strict division of labour within society. He suggests that each citizen should have a specific role that aligns with their abilities and training, contributing to the community's well-being in their designated capacity. This principle of specialization further reinforces his argument that ruling should be left to those with the requisite skills and knowledge.
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The emergence of democracy from oligarchy
Plato, born in Athens around 427 B.C.E., was related through his mother to Solon, the prominent reformer of the Athenian constitution. It is highly probable that Plato was well acquainted with Solon's deeds and ideas, and that these deeply influenced him. Plato himself was destined to take an active role in political life, but he could not identify himself with any of the contending political parties or the succession of corrupt regimes, each of which brought Athens into further decline.
Plato's political philosophy reflects his views on the shortcomings of democracy. He argues that democracy is inferior to various forms of monarchy, aristocracy, and even oligarchy. In a democracy, politicians must appeal to the people's sense of what is right or wrong, leading to the state being guided by poorly thought-out ideas that experts in manipulation use to win office. Plato believed that the state should be ruled by philosopher-kings with the wisdom and moral character required for good rule, defending a form of oligarchy or "epistocracy".
Plato's ideas on the emergence of democracy from oligarchy are reflected in his analogy of a "supermarket of constitutions". He compares the variety of constitutions available to a bazaar or supermarket, where one can pick and choose the patterns that suit them. This view suggests a certain level of flexibility and choice in the formation of governments, with democracy naturally following oligarchy as one of the possible outcomes.
However, the transition from oligarchy to democracy is not always smooth or positive. In the context of modern democracies, there is a concern that oligarchic tendencies can threaten democratic ideals and basic freedoms. This is particularly evident in the influence of wealthy individuals and corporations on political outcomes, effectively creating a system of rule by the wealthy, or plutocracy. This dynamic has been observed in the United States, where political outcomes have been shown to overwhelmingly favor the very wealthy, corporations, and business groups, while the influence of ordinary citizens is minimal.
The challenge of balancing democracy and oligarchy is an ongoing one, and it remains crucial to address the influence of wealth and power on political systems to ensure that democracies truly represent the interests and will of the people.
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Frequently asked questions
Plato is famous for his critique of democracy, which he viewed as inherently flawed and unsustainable. He believed that democracy risks bringing dictators, tyrants, and demagogues to power. Plato also thought that democracy undermines the expertise necessary for good governance and that the state should be ruled by philosopher-kings who are wise, virtuous, and selfless.
Plato identifies five forms of government: aristocracy, timocracy, oligarchy, democracy, and tyranny. Aristocracy, ruled by philosophers, is considered the most ideal and just. Timocracy refers to the rule of a few seeking honour and glory. Oligarchy involves the rule of a wealthy few. Democracy represents majority rule, where freedom and equality are paramount. Tyranny is an unjust rule where the whims of one become law.
Plato's ideal state is one that achieves unity, order, and stability. He believed that democracy, with its emphasis on individual liberty, leads to disorder and a lack of control. In his view, democracy often arises from the internal dissension within an oligarchic system, and he saw it as a precursor to tyranny.
