Comparing Plato And Madison's Cynical View Of A Big Republic

He pointed out the flaws of the four main political systems, and sought a new way of government. He came up with a subsidiary of a democracy, called, as his book was, a republic. This new form of government would have leaders be elected by the people they governed, and lead to the new political concept of popular sovereignty. This meant that in a democracy or republic, if citizens felt that who they elected wasn’t doing a good job, they wouldn’t have to re-elect them. On the other hand, Aristotle denounced Plato's idea of an “ideal state,” in his book titled The Politics. Instead of trying to theorize an ideal state, Aristotle took a more practical approach in trying to make a Constitution that could be easily implemented. He divided some of the types of governments in Greece into either “True,” or “Defective.” After researching he figured that the easiest to implement and least problematic was a system called a polity. hybrid between an oligarchy and a democracy that would uprise with a strong, educated middle class. It is also referred to as a “Middle Class Polity.” In ancient Rome, they implemented a republic, and the Romans

What mix of traits creates the perfect ruler? Some may say charisma, personability, or even good looks. Throughout history, a plethora of leaders with different views have been successful for many different kinds of societies. Depending on what the society needs, rulers change their ways as well as do what they can for the good of their people. In Plato’s The Republic, the character Socrates argues with his peers about what makes the perfect society, as well as the perfect leader. According to Plato, the wisest choice for a ruler in a near perfect society is a philosopher, containing multiple important attributes. A wide variety of characteristics are covered, yet Plato seems to focus in on several key foundations. Plato’s views on essential traits of a philosopher focus on the necessity of truth and thirst for knowledge.

Plato, James Madison, and John Mills are all supporters of the idea that opinion must be discussed in public debate. In my own reason-based thought this idea that through silence ignorance grows louder is my own general understanding.

What Madison is saying is that factions are going to be in a society no matter what. People are going to have different opinions. Factions are always going to exist, and no matter what, the government cannot remove factions because if they do then they are eliminating peoples rights. The constitution protects against this. ?Liberty is to faction, what air is to fire, an aliment without which it instantly expires. But it could not be a less folly to abolish liberty, which is essential to political life, because it nourishes faction, than it would be to wish the annihilation of air, which is essential to animal life, because it imparts to fire its destructive agency.? This is one reason that the Americans had success (Ziegler 216).

One of the biggest sources that factions come from are from the distribution of land. There are two main ones, those with lots and land and those with little land. Even though these groups conflict, the government is obliged to guard the interests of each group. Madison stated two ways to control factions, which were to remove its causes and controlling its effect. Madison says next that he worries about corruption of members of the new government, but says it is less likely because representative will be chosen by a large population. He also discusses the differences between a republic and a democracy, along with that the main goal of the Constitution is to make all 13 states secure from threats and invasion.

Plato’s The Republic and Aristotle’s The Politics are two classic texts in ancient Greek political thought. Although Plato taught Aristotle, the two philosophers had differing viewpoints on many subjects, one of them being the purpose of political rule. Plato believed that the purpose of political rule is to allow for the manifestation of a just city where both the city and its citizens are in harmony due to a specialization of roles according to individuals’ natures, whereas Aristotle believed that the purpose of political rule is to create a regime that pursues the common advantage and preserves the political partnership of the city.

James Madison wrote The Federalist No. 10 to inform the people about the problems and possible solutions for the formation of factions. Through multiple statements concerning the dangers of factions and the benefits of a republic, Madison’s major argument was in favor of the United States Constitution. Madison defined a faction as "A number of citizens, whether amounting to a minority or majority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion or interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community." (Madison p. 1) Factions can be compared to the modern day lobby group; or as groups of people with a common self-interest. These groups are only involved for

In The Republic by Plato, Plato constructed an ideal city where Philosophers would rule. Governed by an aristocratic form of government, it took away some of the most basic rights a normal citizen should deserve, freedom of choice, worship, and assembly were distressed. Though the idea of philosopher kings is good on paper, fundamental flaws of the human kind even described by Plato himself prevent it from being truly successful. The idea of an ideal democratic government like what our founding fathers had envisioned is the most successful and best political form which will ensure individual freedom and keep power struggle to a minimum.

     The history of philosophy can be viewed as the result of the work of an obscure Athenian whose voluminous works, penetrating questions, novel ideas, and didactic teachings have shaped the flow of nearly all philosophic thought. It has been said that the influence of the ancient Greek philosopher named Plato has laid the foundation for Western culture. Plato was born to an aristocratic family in Athens in 428/427 B.C. As a young man, Plato studied poetry, but later under the tutelage of the famed Socrates, turned to philosophy, who introduced him to the ethical importance of the pursuit of wisdom. Plato was also influenced by the

In Plato 's Republic, the philosopher is sitting having a discussion with his fellow peers and friends. During this conversation each character except Plato offers their opening and reasoning on the question, what is justice. For the majority of the book Plato outlines almost every aspect of his ideal city. Within this city Plato has set up many rules in order for the city to remain just. All the way from mating rituals to who should rule, virtually all factors have been thought of and serves a specific purpose. One of the most important question that was raised in the book is, who is should be the ruler of the city? Evidently Plato believes that it is the philosopher who is most fit to rule. He reaches this conclusion after discussing a variety of factors that put philosophers above the rest, Plato being a philosopher seems to be the most creditable in making this argument in The Republic. In Plato 's book, Adeimantus attempts to put dispute his claim. Not only him but philosopher and a student of Plato, Aristotle does the same in his text as well. Aristotle emphasizes the importance of the laws in his Ethics and Politics. He specifically implies that a ruler who is a philosopher rules by judgment, not laws, and as a result the ruler will rule“for himself and thus becomes a tyrant” (Nichomachean Ethics, V.6, 1134a). Both Plato and Aristotle give compelling arguments as to why they think they are right on who should rule. Aristotle 's claim is accurate, that in the long run

Once parties agree on the meaning of words and imagine the situation from their opponent’s perspective, conversations can then evolve to apply those definitions in a larger context for a common good. Achievement of stasis can progress to further development of the topic. For instance, in parts of The Republic when the group discusses one of Socrates’s questions, characters have the chance to contribute to the inquiry and then they often come to a consensus. If a character struggles with a certain aspect of their communal conclusion, he will ask Socrates to elaborate. Like Plato’s model of discussion, politicians come from varied backgrounds and hold various opinions, but the ultimate decision is a group decision. In order to reach that final decision, many steps of modification and editing are necessary, just as Plato’s characters realize. An answer to political polarization is not as simple as placing important politicians in the same room—this is already the case. Rather, these individuals need to focus on the development of the argument and honestly debate the topic, not accuse one another of irrelevant offenses.

believes that the son will realize to be just is only worth it if you can get a

Plato believed that tyranny were not needed in a government system, that couldn't decide from right or wrong. The founding fathers looked up to Plato’s ideas. King George the third was a bad king and the founding fathers dislike the idea/believe of the king. He believed that the government

Plato is an ancient Greek philosopher and was a student of Socrates and a teacher of Aristotle. Republic by Plato is one of the top-ten most influential works on politics ever. Throughout his book and specifically the chapter I will be speaking upon which is chapter eight, Plato’s main questions are: What is justice? And what leads to democracy? Plato attempts to figure out what a just city is like and what a just man looks like as well how democracy comes to be. Throughout my paper, I will be talking about Plato’s argument towards just cities and democracy, but specifically, his argument in which states: Cities come to be certain ways because of the ways their individual people are. If that’s true, then there must be as many kinds of people as there are kinds of cities. So, there are as many kinds of people as there are kinds of cities. I do not agree with his statement so I will be giving my argument against his as well as an objection to my argument and why mine would be successful.

The Republic by Plato discusses the different types of government and what kind of citizen each one produces. Socrates and Adeimantus highlights how each type of government brings out unique characteristics out of its citizens. They discuss five different types of government, from the highest form (in Socrates’s eyes) of aristocracy, to a timocracy, oligarchy, democracy, and the lowest form of government, tyranny. Although The Republic was written over 2,000 years ago, it still finds relevance today in high school classes through the government/class setup. From Mr. West’s timocratic advanced orchestra class, Ms. Satya’s democratic Computer Programming class, to Mr. Haralson’s oligarchical Algebra 2/Trig class, each course demonstrate some form of government and later affecting the students behavior and attitude.