In book eight of the republic, plato describes the degeneration of the ideal citystate into various successor forms, including democracy. A love of the democracy is likewise that of frugality. Socrates describes the four types of government timocracy, oligarchy, democracy, and tyranny. In platos republic book 1, thrasymachus argues that morality is the advantage of the stronger. Since every individual ought here to enjoy the same happiness and the same advantages, they should consequently taste the same pleasures and form the same hopes, which cannot be expected but.
Plato republic, book eight introduction this present philosophy essay is based on the arguments that were presented by plato, in his socratic dialogue that was titled the republic. Aug 17, 2009 book viii starts with a useful summary of the republic socrates has envisioned. Indeed, the republic stands today as his fearless rebuke of his own times. After summarizing their decisions and the description of the city, socrates returns to his statement that the method used in the governing of this city is good, while there are four others worth discussing that are not good. Preferences, expectations, identities, and interests are not exogenous to political history. You will note that it is almost the worst form of government, in socrates view, surpassed in its flaws only by tyranny. The elaborate refutations which plato thinks fit to. Terms in this set 14 order of the 5 types of cities. They are timocracy rule for the sake of honor, oligarchy rule of the few, democracy.
It is known as a socratic dialogue and is perhaps one of platos best known works. Republic book 8 and democracy march and olsen 1995 identify a series of issues that democracies must address. The discourse begins with socrates heralding their need to backtrack a little. Saxonhouse university of michigan a plato opposed to democracy fills the literature, and while some scholars question whether plato adequately captures socrates possibly favorable views of democracy, plato himself remains a paragon of elitism. Plato, democracy, tyranny 1 david kolb, 2017 from plato, the republic, book 8. How democracy leads to tyranny from platos republic fact.
The democratic state arises when a thirda middleclass forms between the very rich and the very poor, and, through and alliance with the poor. That it is an outgrowth of democracy is fairly plain. Liberty, i replied, for you may hear it said that this is best managed in a democratic city, and for this reason that is the only city in which a man of free spirit will care. Democracy in its openness in book 8 lacks this capacity for adding and for discriminating and thus. In a republic, a constitution or charter of rights protects certain inalienable. From plato on democracy, part ii, and how democracy leads to tyranny republic bk viii, plato says how the demos werent smart enough to make correct decisions, and that democracy was one of the worst ways of government. However, please note that nothing is stated about any form of government for the federal government know. Degeneration and democracy in book viii of platos republic thesis directed by professor robert metcalf abstract platos republic is a confusing and confused text, nonetheless when pulled apart the most perplexing portion is book viii. Saxonhous universitye of michigan a plato opposed to democracy fills the literature, and while some scholars question whether plato zjl adequately captures socrates possibly favorable views of democracy, plato himself remains a. Now in book viii socrates returns to his examples of unjust societies and unjust men.
The federal constitution guarantees each of the several states a republican form of government not a democracy. Some cornerstones of these issues are freedom of assembly and speech, inclusiveness and equality, membership. Now that the true state and true human have been clearly illustrated, the philosophers can revive the thread introduced earlier in the dialogue. Philosopher plato discusses five types of regimes republic, book viii. It is a complex work, one that rambles due to the nature of it being a dialogue rather than a pure expository piece, but one with some interesting and applicable ideas within it nonetheless. Jan 24, 2017 in his republic, plato examines how democracy can lead to tyranny in a republic.
Both terms had been applied to the assemblybased systems of greece. Adeimantus interrupts to point out that most people think philosophers are vicious cranks, and the few good ones are useless to society. Book viii starts with a useful summary of the republic socrates has envisioned. The flaws of the oligarchy lead directly to democracy.
The philosopher as a lover of learning and truth is disinclined to attend to physical pleasures. Also, the kings are to be those among them who have proved to be the best, both in. Sep 19, 2016 plato was a man from ancient greece, who was against athenian democracy. The internet classics archive the republic by plato. Greg recco platos republic is typically thought to recommend a form of government that, from our current perspective, seems perniciously totalitarian. We explain platos theory as it pertains to democracy and tyranny. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. Socrates argues that there are four main types of unjust states. Quite a few comments have been posted about the republic. Divided democracy in the age of social media i used this book for my political science class in college. Is it, then, in a sense, in the same way in which democracy arises out of oligarchy that tyranny arises from democracy. Democracy comes into being after the poor have conquered their opponents, slaughtering some and banishing some, while to the remainder they give an equal share of freedom. Plato also assigns a man to each of these regimes to illustrate what they stand for. In book 8 socrates discusses these forms, or political constitutions, in turn.
They are timocracy rule for the sake of honor, oligarchy rule of the few. Socrates replies that this view is the result of faults in society, not in philosophers. We are used to thinking very highly of democracy and by extension, of ancient athens, the civilisation that gave rise to it. Platos the republic is one of the more widely read works of philosophy of all time. At the end of the 18th century, the history of the terms whose literal meaning is rule by the peopledemocracy and republicleft the answer unclear. Both forms of government tend to use a representational system i. Athens victorious demonstrates that plato intended quite. Oct 14, 2015 summary and analysis of book 8 of platos republic. It expanded my thought process about what democracy is supposed to be like, but also the effects of. Plato on democracy, part ii, and how democracy leads to tyranny republic bk viii come then, tell me, dear friend, how tyranny arises. Chat with cass sunstein in a message forum hosted beginning april 1, 2001.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. After a thorough introduction, outline the process of degeneration that leads to democracy, the specific shortcomings of democracy, and its eventual transformation into tyranny. A radical view from book 8 of platos republic arlene w. Our story begins as socrates and his friend glaucon head home from a festival. The tyrannical man would represent tyranny, for example. They are aristocracy, timocracy, oligarchy, democracy, and tyranny. A radical view from book 8 of platos republic volume 92 issue 2 arlene w.
Democracy vs republic difference and comparison diffen. Although it was just supposed to be used as a means of getting information for a paper, i learned a lot from reading this book. Saxonhouse university of michigan a plato opposed to democracy fills the literature, and while some scholars question whether plato adequately captures socrates possibly favorable views of democracy, plato himself remains a. Rather than being a cross between two entirely separate systems, democratic republics may function on principles shared by both republics and democracies. Democracy democracy democracy or republic is democracy the most appropriate name for a largescale representative system such as that of the early united states. Plato is among the most renowned ancient greek philosophers who made a significant contribution towards intellectual and historical works of political theory and philosophy. According to plato, what are the weaknesses of a democracy what do you think of platos argument essay example.
Carlos plato summary plato was a man from ancient greece, who was against athenian democracy. At the beginning of book 8 socrates summarizes the main features of the perfect state, and glaucon recalls socrates had previously promised the company to discuss the four principal forms of defective, or lessthanperfect, states. Democracy comes into being after the poor have conquered their opponents, slaughtering some and banishing some, while to the remainder they give an equal share of freedom and power. Governance involves developing identities of citizens and groups in the political environment. The key difference between a democracy and a republic lies in the limits placed on government by the law, which has implications for minority rights. A love of the republic in a democracy is a love of the democracy. The central flaw in democracy, in his view, is an uncontrolled desire for freedom, which evolves into anarchy, thus leading to tyranny an attempt to control the anarchy. Who people are and how authority is shared among them are core issues for democratic theory, development and constitution. The book ends by suggesting a range of potential reforms to correct current misconceptions and to improve deliberative democracy and the health of the american republic. The republic by plato, part of the internet classics archive.
Socrates says that timocracy is the closest to the ideal state that we have thus far experienced. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of the republic and what it means. Why socrates hated democracy the book of life is the brain of the school of life, a gathering of the best ideas around wisdom and emotional intelligence. A democratic republic is a form of government operating on principles adopted from a republic and a democracy. The four regimes socrates now names are the cretan or spartan regime, oligarchy, democracy, and tyranny. Popular democracy books meet your next favorite book. The four regimes socrates now names are the cretan or spartan regime, oligarchy, democracy, and. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in the republic, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. In book two, socrates, thrasymachus and adeimantus decide to focus on a. Also, a discussion of aristocracy, timocracy, oligarchy, democracy, and tyranny. Degeneration and democracy in book viii of platos republic. Ready to call it a night, theyre intercepted by a whole gang of their acquaintances, who eventually convince them to come hang out at polemarchuss house and have a nice, long chat.
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