History of Political Thought: Why Plato Distrusted Democracy
From Plato to Tocqueville, the surprising arguments behind the ideas that still shape how we think about power, freedom and government.
Try 3 questions
1. In Plato's Republic, why do the guardians who rule the city live without private property or families?
- To keep rulers from serving private interests
- To reward them for years of military service
- To prove that all citizens are equal
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Answer: To keep rulers from serving private interests
Plato feared that wealth and family ties would tempt rulers to govern for themselves, so he removed both to keep their loyalty on the common good.
2. Plato's "ship of state" image has sailors fighting over the helm while ignoring the navigator. What is its point against democracy?
- Steering a state needs expertise, not popularity
- Sailors should elect their most senior member
- Ships work best with many captains sharing duty
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Answer: Steering a state needs expertise, not popularity
Plato argued that ruling is a skill like navigation, and a crowd choosing by persuasion will ignore the person who actually knows how to steer.
3. What was the "noble lie" Plato proposed for his ideal city?
- A secret treaty hidden from rival cities
- A rumor spread to frighten foreign invaders
- A myth that souls are mixed with different metals
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Answer: A myth that souls are mixed with different metals
Citizens would be told that gods mixed gold, silver or bronze into their souls, a story meant to make them accept their place in the social order.
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