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On Democracy, Corruption, And Tyranny Essay

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Section 2: On Democracy, Corruption, and Tyranny
Consider, for example, Pericles’ assertion that law is “all things…that the assembled multitude has approved and written, pointing out what should and should not be done” (1.2.42). Alcibiades’ then asks Pericles “what if it is not the multitude, but the resembled few who write [the law]? What is this this?” (1.2.43); Pericles concedes that is too can be considered as law (1.2.43). Alcibiades then asks “what [then becomes of] violence and lawlessness? Is it not when one who is stronger compels one who is weaker not by persuasion but by the use of violence?” (1.2.44). Pericles revises his initial position by stating that “everything…that one compels someone to do without persuading him…is violence rather than law” (1.2.45). Alcibiades, inspired by Pericles’ revision, then asks him if “whatever the whole multitude writes…when it overpowers those having wealth, would be violence rather than law?” (1.2.45). Pericles completely dodges the question, applauds Alcibiades’ youth and cleverness, and makes a remark about how he himself was once like Alcibiades (1.2.46). Finally, Alcibiades states “…I could have been your companion at the time, Pericles, when you where at your cleverest” (1.2.46).
At stake here, is the extent to which the subversive nature of Socrates’ anti-democratic pedagogical praxis can be directly held responsible for having corrupted Alcibiades. Indeed, we learn earlier on in the Memorabilia, that part of the logic

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