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Posted on 11/05/2026 6:26:42 PM PST by MinorityRepublican
Liberty, Democracy and Tyranny
Like many thinkers worth reading, all sorts have claimed Plato as their own. There is plenty in his work which recommends aspects of the conservative tradition, yet his proposals of communal childrearing and equal rights and privileges between the sexes in ‘Republic’ have endeared him to young romantics and movements on the left. But regardless of whether you read him as a reactionary or revolutionary, one thing is quite certain—Plato was not a fan of democracy.
The most important reason for this, of course, is because it was under Athenian democracy that Plato’s mentor, Socrates, was condemned to death for “corrupting the youth of Athens.” Plato’s depiction of Socrates in his 'Crito’ does battle with this popular depiction of Socrates as a rebellious upstart—no, Socrates is no rebel. Like the prophets in the Old Testament, Socrates sought to save the city from its rebellion against itself.
After all, Athens at this time was a tale of two cities, rent in twain by class division. Reading Thucydides’ account of the Peloponnesian War we can bear witness to the bitter arguments waged between rich and poor that served to help them lose to the Spartan-led Peloponnesian League. Not to mention that public opinion in democratic Athens was incredibly malleable, shifting here and there depending on what the popular position was. Is it any mystery that Plato’s scheme for a good society in ‘Republic’ more closely resembles the Spartan rather than the Athenian mode?
Plato’s description of the democratic society is one where liberty is the guiding principle. To quote from Book VIII of ‘Republic’—
“Liberty […] is best managed in a democratic city, and for this reason that is the only city in which a man of free spirit cares to live.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nypl.org ...
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“The best argument against democracy is a 5-minute conversation with the average voter”. Spoken by Winston Churchill and proven on November third.
It didn't survive in Ancient Greece.
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