Political Science and International realations - Western Thinkers - Plato

Born an Aristocrat which has its privileges in the Athenian society of Greece, Plato wanted to enter political life in his early days. But much has changed after his education under Socrates, who has imbibed in him a pursuit of truth  achieved through debate and dialogue.

Other factors such as the continuous war with Sparta (Peloponnesian War) which the Athens lost and the subsequent puppet governments that had emerged in Athens have further distanced himself from public life. The final blow came when his teacher, Socrates was sentenced to death for atheism.

This led for him to search for safety which prompted him to travel across Europe and Africa in which time he had tried to be the educator of many princes. While he finally arrived, he has contributed much to the literary work through various books, some of which such as Laws drew upon the contemporary political institutions and their working.

Plato’s philosophical though can be clearly understood in the context of his theory of forms, Ideas whereby he identifies that the World we live in is but a shadow of reality and whatever we see around us and their description is opinion. Knowledge of the real World, although cannot be seen right away can be taught.

The essential characteristics of Plato's theory of Forms would, thus, include: 

(a) There is a difference between 'Form' or 'Idea'; 'Knowledge' and 'Appearance'; 'Actual', or 'Opinion' as there is difference between the invisible world and the physically visible world. 

(b) The form is the ultimate object of appearance. 

(c) The actual world can attain the ideal world. 

(d) Knowledge can replace opinion and is attainable. 

(e) The visible world is the shadow of the real world. 

(f) What appears to be is not the Form, but is a form of the Form.”

Also the deductive method of philosophy that he uses forms certain notions about the society before hand and when seen through these pre conceived notions, the world seems imperfect and hence the need for an Ideal Society.

Theory of Justice – Specialization, hierarchy, Natural, Separation of conflict i.e. harmony through communism.

Theory of Justice:

 He placed overarching importance on justice which is thought to be holding the society together .While his theory of justice is based on performing one’s duties for the good of the society (It is at the same time a public virtue) and not mere adherence towards laws.Plato has towards the end in his “Laws” has realized the importance of a law based society along with Ideal rulers, something which he conceived as useless if the ruler is virtuous.

Education:

Theory of Social righteousness and not of social success.

Communism:

Formed on the basis that those controlling political activities should not have any economic interests while those controlling economic should have no political interests. Such resulted in the communism of property which included communism of families. This was critical for the effective functioning of the system.

But to compare Plato Communism with Marx communism is wrong because

1.          One is for the whole society and other for classes.
2.          One is an economic solution to political problem while other is a political solution to economic problem.
3.          Finally, Plato’s communism is based on material temptation while for Marx it is the growth of social evils because of accumulation of property.
4.       One is for the whole society while the other is for guardians alone.
5.       The Circumstances differ i.e BC Greek and 19th century Europe.
6.       Applicable for Athens, Greek city state while the other is an global ideology.
7.       Plato is more philosophical in approach while Marx is scientific in approach.

Plato’s republic:

Book deals with the whole gamut of Human life such as Metaphysics, Moral Philosophy, Education, human nature, Philosophy of history, Ideal state.

Man has three traits (Appetite, Spirit and reason) and so three groups of citizens (Producers, Auxiliaries and Rulers) and thus he is termed fascist and radical.

Plato and State:

 State should help citizens to help people achieve a full life.

·         State must perform for the good of all and in it lays true justice.

To say Plato did not put any checks on absolute power of ruler is not correct because of the communism and the rigorous education system. Also by attaining the highest possible virtue which the rulers have by seeing the true form of the politics it is understandable that he thought rulers to be good, at least initially. This position is changed in his “laws”.

Critique of Plato:

Anti Change – Because the moment state reaches its ideal form, there needs be no change. The path is naturalistic in the sense as to going back to tribal affairs and the rule of few wise over the many ignorant. 

Direct Points:

1. Democracy is irrational because it views unequal people as equal and in the process compromises on the effectiveness of the government.s
2. He was a philosopher for he saw beyond the mere appearances.
3. He decided that politics is a corrupted affair unless given the right direction.
4. Deductive Methodology: He decided that the state is corrupt first and then went about to form his philosophy rather than reaching a conclusion after studying, Examining and observing the available data.
5. Teleological – Everything exists for itself and constantly moves towards its desired objective.
6. Analogical – Whereby two objects are said to be same in some aspects based on their similarity in other aspects.
7. “Knowledge is Virtue”, “Public is ill, we must cure our masters” – Socrates.
8. Through basic human traits, man could learn virtue which would make him capable of attaining his end.