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Plato defines Oligarchy as the classification of poor and rich people by the government and government of greedy men who are money lovers and they are excluded from paying taxes which are used for a common goal. Oligarchy excludes the poor from participating in public life. Prioritizing rich people over poor will encourage the rich to get more wealth and political power will be limited to the rich ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"rI1zRvFP","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Winters)","plainCitation":"(Winters)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":115,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/F0XOCTdk/items/EKRUVVBE"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/F0XOCTdk/items/EKRUVVBE"],"itemData":{"id":115,"type":"book","title":"Oligarchy","publisher":"Cambridge University Press","number-of-pages":"345","source":"Google Books","abstract":"For centuries, oligarchs were viewed as empowered by wealth, an idea muddled by elite theory early in the twentieth century. The common thread for oligarchs across history is that wealth defines them, empowers them and inherently exposes them to threats. The existential motive of all oligarchs is wealth defense. How they respond varies with the threats they confront, including how directly involved they are in supplying the coercion underlying all property claims and whether they act separately or collectively. These variations yield four types of oligarchy: warring, ruling, sultanistic and civil. Moreover, the rule of law problem in many societies is a matter of taming oligarchs. Cases studied in this book include the United States, ancient Athens and Rome, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, medieval Venice and Siena, mafia commissions in the United States and Italy, feuding Appalachian families and early chiefs cum oligarchs dating from 2300 BCE.","ISBN":"978-1-139-49564-6","note":"Google-Books-ID: trsFIM5h3P8C","language":"en","author":[{"family":"Winters","given":"Jeffrey A."}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2011",4,18]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Winters 11). Plato explains that excluding poor from public participation would lead to poor performances in military activities. Those who are ruling are in a smaller number and are scared to share weapons with the majority of the poor because they fear revolution. Divisions in people and lack of unity could lead to disturbances in the social setup and conflicts in the state system. People will desire the acquisition of material for happiness and there will be no use of spirit.
Property related to family, society, and the state usury means to charge interest on an amount of loan ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"DZw7hAzP","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Plato)","plainCitation":"(Plato)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":121,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/F0XOCTdk/items/2DRM52ET"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/F0XOCTdk/items/2DRM52ET"],"itemData":{"id":121,"type":"book","title":"Plato: 'The Republic'","publisher":"Cambridge University Press","number-of-pages":"444","source":"Google Books","abstract":"First published in 2000, this translation of one of the great works of Western political thought is based on the assumption that when Plato chose the dialogue form for his writing, he intended these dialogues to sound like conversations - although conversations of a philosophical sort. In addition to a vivid, dignified and accurate rendition of Plato's text, the student and general reader will find many aids to comprehension in this volume: an introduction that assesses the cultural background to the Republic, its place within political philosophy, and its general argument; succinct notes in the body of the text; an analytical summary of the work's content; a full glossary of proper names; a chronology of important events; and a guide to further reading. The result is an accomplished and accessible edition of this seminal work, suitable for philosophers and classicists as well as historians of political thought at all levels.","ISBN":"978-0-521-48443-5","note":"Google-Books-ID: aPwPjVIxbGQC","shortTitle":"Plato","language":"en","author":[{"family":"Plato","given":""}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2000",9,25]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Plato 156). Plato argued that legitimacy in property will create greediness and lust, while for Aristotle, owning private property is better than a communal property and will be helpful in personal development and growth. People care a little for those goods which are owned commonly because people prefer to prioritize their interests over and common interests. For Aristotle, usury was a way to make money for self-interest; money made by money. Plato asserted strict limitations on holding private property but Aristotle believed that private property can increase efficiency that materialistic things could bring happiness. Private property holding can make people responsible for their own, otherwise, in communal property, people would assume that someone else is taking care of their material goods and property.
For Plato, Philosopher kings were only members who were capable of ruling the society Plato justifies the rule by elites ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"aBsyP8UN","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Habibi)","plainCitation":"(Habibi)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":124,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/F0XOCTdk/items/3UMLA99Z"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/F0XOCTdk/items/3UMLA99Z"],"itemData":{"id":124,"type":"book","title":"Plato's idea of democracy","publisher":"GRIN Verlag","number-of-pages":"9","source":"Google Books","abstract":"Scientific Essay from the year 2011 in the subject Philosophy - Philosophy of the Ancient World, grade: A, American University of Central Asia, course: FYS, language: English, abstract: This essay seeks to address the above questions. First it explains Plato’s concept of democracy, which shapes his attitude towards this form of government. Then it discusses my position towards Plato’s criticism of democracy, provides a definition of contemporary democracy, and finally shows how Plato’s argumentation can be applied to present day democracies.","ISBN":"978-3-656-18818-6","note":"Google-Books-ID: _o2ocqYbMI8C","language":"en","author":[{"family":"Habibi","given":"Naseer Ahmad"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2012",5,10]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Habibi 17). Elites were those members in society who were able to pursue truth in politics and this will lead people to participate in the governance. Politics requires experts and those rulers who are trained and they are carefully selected. Plato and his teacher Socrates are the ones who challenged the democratic system. After the death of Plato, elites believed that the criticism about democracy is still valid and has a strong stand. For Plato common people were not much experienced and decisions being made would be uninformed. Politics was an attraction for those who wanted to gain power and to work for their own rather than working for the public. This lead to corruption in the state. Democracy for Plato originated when the poor people would kill their opponents, win the game and give all their equal rights and opportunities to rule.
Plato presented an idea of Ideal State, it was hard to be implemented but it looked easier. Plato wanted Philosopher kings to rule over the people because they were the only people who knew everything whether it is society or politics. The philosopher should become kings because they can successfully rule the republic. Decision making requires some skills and judgments and only experts have these skills. Philosophers, on the other hand, should have and develop such skills which would make them able to rule over people and they should be able to recognize differences between good and bad people, friends and enemies. A philosopher should be a seeker and lover of wisdom. The understanding of forms of government must be necessary for the philosopher-king and he/she should know how to work for the government without bringing self-interests and perform tasks in a proper way (White 44).
For Plato, Athenian democracy was not good he proposed a new form of society, he suggested alternative models of government because Athenian democracy was all about the citizens and decisions regarding justice and political were supposed to made by the citizens of Athens. This contradicted the idea of the Ideal state by Plato. Citizens were directly linked to the dominancy in the decision making and they were considered as a property in the democratic system of Athens. The democratic system in Athens directly supported the tyranny of citizens ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"O6VY2LKA","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Held)","plainCitation":"(Held)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":133,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/F0XOCTdk/items/273RNDFQ"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/F0XOCTdk/items/273RNDFQ"],"itemData":{"id":133,"type":"book","title":"Models of Democracy","publisher":"Stanford University Press","number-of-pages":"362","source":"Google Books","abstract":"In a succinct and far-reaching analysis, David Held provides an introduction to major theories of democracy from classical Greece to the present, along with a critical discussion of what democracy should mean today. This new edition has been extensively revised and updated to take into account significant transformations in world politics. A new chapter on deliberative democracy has been added, which focuses on how citizen participation can be increased in politics, and how that participation can become more informed. Like its predecessor, the third edition of Models of Democracy combines lucid exposition and clarity of expression with careful scholarship and originality, making it highly attractive to students and experts in the field. The third edition will prove essential reading for all those interested in politics, political theory, and political philosophy.Praise for the second edition:Helds new book on models of democracy is itself a model of its kinda meticulously edited, easily accessible, and clearly signposted critical analysis of theories of democracy from classical antiquity to the present day.EthicsIn this timely and thought-provoking study, Held provides a critical reassessment of major theories of democracy from ancient Greece to the present, along with his own prescription for revitalizing contemporary democratic politics. . . . This volume should be read and pondered by anyone interested in the future of democracy.The Annals","ISBN":"978-0-8047-5472-9","language":"en","author":[{"family":"Held","given":"David"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2006"]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Held 19). Plato was a truth seeker and he believed that in every aspect of life there should be the truth, whether it is life or politics.
The theory of an ideal state or a ruling is meant to be ruled by the philosopher-kings according to Plato. The philosopher king is the one who has more knowledge and skills about wisdom, justice, state, and people. There must be a way for law implementation because all are equal in nature, so if one has power, the all of people should have it ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"I6Zuu7u9","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Wolff)","plainCitation":"(Wolff)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":99,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/F0XOCTdk/items/I65V2UTG"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/F0XOCTdk/items/I65V2UTG"],"itemData":{"id":99,"type":"post-weblog","title":"Plato's Argument for Rule by Philosopher Kings","container-title":"E-International Relations","abstract":"Plato’s argument for rule by philosopher kings is neither persuasive nor realistic in theory, but traces of the characteristics of his ideal form of rule do appear in the modern state.","URL":"https://www.e-ir.info/2013/04/17/should-philosophers-rule/","language":"en-US","author":[{"family":"Wolff","given":""}],"accessed":{"date-parts":[["2019",10,12]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Wolff 20). Implementing ideas about the ideal state is not easier because they want to be part of decision making and they also want to be part of the government because for them it is their right. Platonic ideal state only included philosopher kings as decision-makers in Athens which means the denial of the rights of the citizens of Athens. Denying the due rights of people is hence not a democracy. Philosopher kings were sole decision-makers because they knew how to implement the justice system and how to make decisions to serve the justice system for the citizens of Athens. The ideal state by Plato does not support democracy, and democracy is important to provide facilities and give due rights to the citizens of the state otherwise there will be unrest in the society and violence will take base in the society.
In 507 B.C Kleisthenes introduced democracy in the state of Athens, people at that time celebrated for being a democratic state ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"yJBfBOAt","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Hansen)","plainCitation":"(Hansen)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":136,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/F0XOCTdk/items/B2ELS3JS"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/F0XOCTdk/items/B2ELS3JS"],"itemData":{"id":136,"type":"article-journal","title":"The Tradition of The Athenian Democracy A.D. 1750–1990","container-title":"Greece & Rome","page":"14-30","volume":"39","issue":"1","source":"Cambridge Core","abstract":"By 1994 no less than 2,500 years will have passed since Kleisthenes (in 507 B.C.) introduced democracy to Athens, and the anniversary will undoubtedly be celebrated by all nations that call themselves democracies, i.e., practically everywhere in the western world. But during the celebrations sceptics will probably ask at least two fundamental questions: first, how much do Athenian demokratia and modern democracy have in common and second, to what extent were modern democratic ideas and institutions shaped by looking back upon the ancient model? Was Athens the school not only of Hellas – as Perikles claimed in his funeral speach – but also of the political system and ideology that are universally accepted in the western world of today? Or, alternatively, is the Athenian example just one small piece in the great jigsaw puzzle that constitutes modern democracy and even a fairly unimportant piece, one of those elusive pieces that has nothing but sky or water on it and, accordingly, is almost impossible to place correctly?","DOI":"10.1017/S0017383500023950","ISSN":"1477-4550, 0017-3835","language":"en","author":[{"family":"Hansen","given":"Mogens Herman"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["1992",4]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Hansen). Plato and Aristotle argued against the democratic government in Athens. Plato believed that opinions by the public will result in corruption in the government and democracy was only considered as the rule by people who lack knowledge about politics and skill. Aristotle believed that corruption is caused by democratic offices where people have the power to redistribute wealth by the rich and this will result in state destruction According to ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"NSlshKyV","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Aristotle)","plainCitation":"(Aristotle)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":118,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/F0XOCTdk/items/2Z5V9LVQ"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/F0XOCTdk/items/2Z5V9LVQ"],"itemData":{"id":118,"type":"book","title":"The Politics","publisher":"Oxford University Press","number-of-pages":"481","source":"Google Books","abstract":"The Politics is one of the most influential texts in the history of political thought, and it raises issues which still confront anyone who wants to think seriously about the ways in which human societies are organized and governed. The work of one of the world's greatest philosophers, it draws on Aristotle's own great knowledge of the political and constitutional affairs of the Greek cities. By examining the way societies are run - from households to city states - Aristotle establishes how successful constitutions can best be initiated and upheld. For this edition Sir Ernest Barker's fine translation, which has been widely used for nearly half a century, has been extensively revised to meet the needs of the modern reader. The accessible introduction and clear notes by R F Stalley examine the historical and philosophical background of the work and discuss its significance for modern political thought. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.","ISBN":"978-0-19-953873-7","note":"Google-Books-ID: NAYUDAAAQBAJ","language":"en","author":[{"family":"Aristotle","given":""}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2009",2,26]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Aristotle), the productions in the estate should be secured and everyone should not be allowed to redistribute. Both believed that common people lacked knowledge about decision making and electing their rulers. They will elect such people who will lack the knowledge and they will hold the charge of the government offices and power to rule them. For Aristotle, the main problem is the sharing of great offices of the state with poor people, poor people who lack knowledge and skills. Problems are because of poor mentalities and bad education systems, these both will help them in becoming criminals and they will make mistakes again and again.
Aristotle was in favor of that form of government which was ruled by the best, in fact, supported the aristocratic form of government which is based on merit rather than blood. He also supported monarchy over democracy. Criticisms by Aristotle were valid and they were insightful. According to Aristotle democracy was the government in which every citizen rules based on the numerical quality, the democratic system in Athens allows people to rule each other and no one is allowed to rule others and they do not have the right to rule others. The decisions being made by people on a larger number will result in bias, the goal will not be achieved and it would not be considered as a virtuous government.
Plato was against and he showed hostility against the democracy of Athens. There are several reasons but for Plato, the main reason to show hostility towards a democracy of Athens would be the execution of his mentor Socrates in 3999 BCE. He was executed by a few policymakers and according to Plato his friend was judged by a jury of children who had no knowledge about decision making and he has persecuted a chef who would make pastries.
Aristotle’s views against the democratic government are insightful because of the reason that everyone would be allowed to rule in the great offices of the government. Allowing every citizen to make decisions and rule over others would mean that everyone has the right to rule others which is against the rights of individuals in nature and according to the law. Everyone would be sovereign and there will be no value of the law. There has to be a proper law to run the government otherwise the state will be destructed and it will be no more peaceful state. While Plato is completely in favor of the government by the Philosopher kings who will be the rulers and they will be responsible for decision making for the people rather than making people part of the government policymaking and decision making for their development of states and societies.Both are right about the in capabilities and deficiencies of democracy because people who are ruling should know about politics and decision making and there needs to be a healthy education system to make youth and other citizens capable of knowing the state system and decision making. In addition to this good and better education system will help to overcome mistakes and crimes.
Works Cited
Aristotle. The Politics. Oxford University Press, 2009. ADDIN ZOTERO_BIBL {"uncited":[],"omitted":[],"custom":[]} CSL_BIBLIOGRAPHY Aristotle. The Politics. Oxford University Press, 2009.
Habibi, Naseer Ahmad. Plato’s Idea of Democracy. GRIN Verlag, 2012.
Hansen, Mogens Herman. “The Tradition of The Athenian Democracy A.D. 1750–1990.” Greece & Rome, vol. 39, no. 1, Apr. 1992, pp. 14–30. Cambridge Core, doi:10.1017/S0017383500023950.
Held, David. Models of Democracy. Stanford University Press, 2006.
Plato. Plato: “The Republic.” Cambridge University Press, 2000.
Winters, Jeffrey A. Oligarchy. Cambridge University Press, 2011.
Wolff. “Plato’s Argument for Rule by Philosopher Kings.” E-International Relations, https://www.e-ir.info/2013/04/17/should-philosophers-rule/. Accessed 12 Oct. 2019.
White, Nicholas P. A companion to Plato's Republic. Hackett Publishing, 1979.
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