Plato's Democracy Essay

Although democracy was meant for the good of the people, some criticized it as it did not really cover the interests of everyone. Plato and the Old Oligarch were some of the major critics of democracy, both Plato and the Old Oligarch saw democracy as unstable and detrimental to society. Plato goes on to provide his solution to democracy, Plato sought to replace democracy with a philosopher king. Aristotle on the other hand, doesn’t completely dismiss democracy, instead, Aristotle insists that a democracy or oligarchy be put into place with the majority of the body being middle class. Democracy empowered the middle and poor classes, contended with the higher classes, and as well as criticizing democracy critics provide their own alternative.

In a democracy, the old conforms in a democratic society and the young sees themselves as equals to the old, because of this, the citizens in a democracy sees one another as equals. Plato believed that, the citizens in a democracy could see disapproval amongst one another as signs of tyranny and would essentially do anything to obliterate it, even if it meant breaking their very own laws. As well as despotism, Plato believed that a democracy allowed untrained people to govern. Having untrained people govern meant that a democracy governs with emotions rather than knowledge, like in today’s society, many vote based on their emotion or feelings towards a candidate. Plato believed that government should be run by people trained in the art of governing. As well as governing with emotion, the citizens of Athens are also easily swayed by demagogues. Lastly as a whole, the masses of Athens were essentially tyrants as a whole. As well as Plato, the Old Oligarch was against democracy. He saw democracy as stripping the elite of their power and influence. The Old Oligarch believed that democracy was a broken

Unlike tyrannies or rulers who rule for themselves, philosopher kings are rulers who are well learned, to Plato these kings are ideal for a peaceful ruling. Philosopher Kings, as Plato details, should be able to fulfill philosophical and political roles in their society, to do this one must, have a constant desire for knowledge, and a sense of truthfulness. Philosopher kings in their constant pursuit of knowledge, are well informed of political affairs and in their need to keep up society, they are the most suitable for a position of ruling. Rather than have decisions made by those incompetent, Plato believed that decisions should be made by knowledge and