Plato’s Republic contains within it radical ideas that would be off-putting to present day society. These ideas would fly in the face of democracy, one of the pillars that American society is built upon. So much so that it would be considered taboo to even mention such ideas within Plato 's Republic that some would consider it offensive. While it may be offensive to the principle of democracy, whether or not this is a valid criticism against The Republic is skeptical. An evaluation of democracy itself should take place to determine whether it is necessary to always live in reverence of it. Plato himself argues that democracy has its faults, and offers his replacement form of government in The Republic. Furthermore, exclaiming that something
…show more content…
Democracy may give off the impression that it is the best because it allows the people to vote on issues. Though this does not always make the best form of government. An aristocracy; the rule of the guardians on the other hand, may be offensive to another person but provides the greatest potential to create the best government. In a pure democracy the majority opinion gets to decide the direction and entire country moves in. The same happens with an aristocracy. Where the guardians, with their training all know how to direct a country. The difference being the multitude of differing opinions versus the small number of like-minded individuals. The direction or plan that a democracy has can even be stopped with a small number of differing opinions. Take for example the United States and its representative democracy with 535 people making the laws. Even then there is gridlock, just imagine a city-state, let alone an entire country. The single ruler can change depending on the situation at the time and provides for the greatest flexibility. The ability to act quickly and swiftly is what gives the ruler an edge over the majority opinion. Whether the ruler makes the right decision or not will be discussed later. For the reason above, a single authoritarian regime provides the greatest potential for the betterment of the state. Even though aristocracy has the potential to be the best form of government, it all lies in the ruler to be on top of their game to facilitate the government to its abilities. This leads into Plato 's model of government, where rulers are picked out from the cream of the crop. They are called the guardians and they are to rule over everyone else who is deemed worse. They are to be educated in what makes a rule good from a young age. So built into Plato 's form of aristocracy is the continual grooming of
Democracy may give off the impression that it is the best because it allows the people to vote on issues. Though this does not always make the best form of government. An aristocracy; the rule of the guardians on the other hand, may be offensive to another person but provides the greatest potential to create the best government. In a pure democracy the majority opinion gets to decide the direction and entire country moves in. The same happens with an aristocracy. Where the guardians, with their training all know how to direct a country. The difference being the multitude of differing opinions versus the small number of like-minded individuals. The direction or plan that a democracy has can even be stopped with a small number of differing opinions. Take for example the United States and its representative democracy with 535 people making the laws. Even then there is gridlock, just imagine a city-state, let alone an entire country. The single ruler can change depending on the situation at the time and provides for the greatest flexibility. The ability to act quickly and swiftly is what gives the ruler an edge over the majority opinion. Whether the ruler makes the right decision or not will be discussed later. For the reason above, a single authoritarian regime provides the greatest potential for the betterment of the state. Even though aristocracy has the potential to be the best form of government, it all lies in the ruler to be on top of their game to facilitate the government to its abilities. This leads into Plato 's model of government, where rulers are picked out from the cream of the crop. They are called the guardians and they are to rule over everyone else who is deemed worse. They are to be educated in what makes a rule good from a young age. So built into Plato 's form of aristocracy is the continual grooming of