Introduction

It is evident that the fundamental challenge that has confronted philosophers through out the

ages is the relevance their theoretical speculation and the practical needs of their society. It is in this

sense a political thought emerges because politics is a practical aspect of man in any society.

This paper is a critical analysis of Plato’s political thought as it is in The Republic and its

application to a modern political context. To tackle this issue properly the general impression which

Plato gives to the reader will be exposed and critically analyzed. This is because it is impossible to

undertake a comprehensive consideration of the whole details of Plato’s political thought within the

limits of five pages. Then, his insights which transcend his Greek culture will be applied in the modern

political context.

Exposition and critical analysis of Plato’s thought

Plato was an Athenian philosopher who lived circa 427-347 B.C.E., his political thinking is as a

result of him growing up in the political conscious environment. Therefore, he was accustomed to

public and had a good education to qualify for public office. Plato declined the invitation to serve in

both the democracy and in the oligarchy. He could not join the system which tried to explicate and the

system which killed his friend and teacher, Socrates, a virtuous man. It is in this context his Plato’s

political thought arises. His mission was to reform the society, remeding the whole Athenian life. This

made him to become the philosopher of ideals; the ideal ruler, the ideal citizens and the ideal state. All

these three governed by the idea of justice which is harmony, each occupying and performing its role.

This political thought is contained in The Republic,

In the republic, one of his dialogues which is scholars classify and place in maturity period,

when he had consolidated his ideas as a philosopher, Plato postulates that the origin of the State is due

to wants of men, the end of man not only in the economic sphere but his happiness. Men cooperate in

the production of the necessities of life, for this to happen effectively there is need for division and

specialization of labour. This yields the first class of citizens, the Artisans.
1
 Next, Plato realizes that more is required for luxurious city as it grows, he says, “the territory

will be insufficient for the city’s needs, some neighbours have to be annexed.” This creates the

phenomena of war in the state. Following the principle of division of labour which enhances perfection

another class of citizens is created. This special class of guardians of the state must be spirited, gifted

and must be philosophic for them to know who are the real enemies of the state. Therefore, there is a

great need for education because the task of guardianship is to be based on knowledge.

So far we have two great classes in the state; then, the important question arises, who should be

the ruler of the state? Plato clearly says that the ruler of the state will be carefully chosen from the class

of guardians. He uses the eugenic principles to select a ruler. He says they are not to be young they

must be the best men in their class, intelligent, powerful and careful to the state, loving the state and

regarding the state’s interest as identical with their own.. This ruler will be called ‘guardian’ and others

of the class are auxiliaries.

At this level the ideal states consists of three great classes; the ruler (philosopher king), the

auxiliaries (soldiers), and artisans (common men). The next consideration is what makes them ideal

citizens?

Plato recognizes the complexity and dynamism of the state (political community), the citizens

living in harmony with their diversity. This existential challenge makes Plato to come up with the myth

of the metals, the so called noble lie, a convenient story that persuades rather than forces people, in the

modern political language, propaganda. Plato suggests every one be told that their education was a

dream and in reality they were fashioned and reared in the depths of the earth. All citizens are brothers

and born of the same earth. But they are distinguished by possessing one of the three elements in their

souls, Gold in rulers, silver in auxiliaries and bronze/ iron in producers/common folks.

Critically analyzed it is this convenient story which brings justice in the state. Justice in the

platonic sense is each keeping his place and this in practical terms means philosophers ruling and

common folks not interfering with the governing of state, their work are to produce. The critical
2
question is; can propaganda stabilize the political community as Plato proposes. Plato says that this

noble lie is not a lie as such but, a convenient story that captures and expresses the essential truth that

we are born natural cooperators, no two individuals are born exactly alike and each has different

‘talent’ which fits him for a different job. For Plato origin of political community is a matter nature, his

conception of state of nature is that it was harmonious, although Glaucon calls it a community of pigs.

Plato’s political thought is characterized by esteeming education, if analyzed he proposes an

education system which helps to mould characters already in the person. For him it is the state which is

in charge of instituting such education system. The state is also in charge of every aspect and

dimension of the society, including marriage and mating festivals. This platonic thought indicates that

power is concentrated within the central government operated only by the rulers distinguished by their

philosophic capacity of which abstract and practical education system will train them in the kind of

logical thinking that enables them to grasp the form of The Good. Plato is usually criticized because of

introducing totalitarianism element in his theory, he also is accused of denying freedom of individual

and taking communitarian aspect to far. This shows how he was influence by the Greek mentality.

Plato in book eight and nine expound the nature of different constitutions. He explains the

nature of aristocracy which is the rule of elite minority, according to him this is the best. If these elite

rulers appropriate wealth it turns to timarchy which is rule by those who love wealth. This later form

turns to oligarchy of which political power depends on property qualifications. This lead awareness of

manipulation among the masses creating a democracy, but the extravagant love of liberty which

characterizes democracy leads to Tyranny, because among the masses arises an individual at first he is

the champion of the people who after appropriating power he executes a coup de etat and turns into a

tyrant. Plato strongly criticizes democracy as a form of government.

Plato’s political thought in the light of contemporary political thought

It is true that Plato is a man of his time, but, his thought is too wide to be restricted to the

narrow world of which he lived. His insights transcend the political challenges of his time to our
3
modern political context. Therefore, Plato’s Republic should not be taken in literal form, as a set of

guidelines for good governance. Its pedagogical value is much greater than its practical value. It should

be in the readers mind that the Republic is a speculative work of a philosopher, it purpose is to provide

background knowledge that is needed to gain fair understanding of political activities in general

Central to Plato’s thought is his stern criticism of democracy, democracy in its pure form tat is

peoples rule. This is understanding is from the etymology of the word democracy; Demos in Greek is

people and Kratos is rule or power. Democracy results to what Plato calls the tyranny of the majority

this is because the Athenian democracy of 4th and 5th century B.C.E was highly unstable and

unchecked, the governmental policies were directly determined by the often changing moods of the

people. It is this significant insight which modern political civilization owes to Plato. The question

asked especially in Africa where level of education is low is whether the masses (Demos) can and

should be relied upon to make the right decisions n governance? In fact, the so called founding fathers

of America despised majority rule and pointed out repeatedly that it would be the destruction of any

civilization that adopted it.

The way to avoid this serious shortcoming of Democracy as reflected in today’s democracies

was the installation of the government of technocrats that will make relevant and necessary decisions

on the basis of objective analyses and unbiased deliberations. Since neither the Demos, nor ordinary

politicians can be expected to acquire such competence. This platonic criticism led to the establishment

of elite Aristocrats of which Plato proposes for example in the U.S.A. there are the Senate, Congress

and Electors College. And in the so called young democracies like Kenya and Zambia we have the

Parliament and the Cabinet where the informed minority participates in the direct Governance of the

State.

Plato’ theory is beneficial to the modern political scenario because it improve the quality of

government. He emphasizes what in today’s language is termed as the training of officials in the kind

of knowledge which he will need to have in order to operate in politics. The officials who are going to
4
have anything to do with policies need above all to have adaptable flexible minds, because they are

constantly being called upon to devise new ways of doing things. Their education should be general in

nature since they are moved from one department/ministry to another sometimes without warning.

Plato emphasizes education system which will develop agility of mind rather than particular

knowledge.

Platonic idea of justice entail order in the State, this means each class of citizens play and keep

their own part. For sure today’s conception of justice is different from that of Plato. However, platonic

idea of justice can be interpreted as different structures of the state/ government keeping and playing

their own part for the good of the functioning whole which is the state. This platonic challenge is valid

especially in Africa where it has been recorded that the executive as one arm of the Government

interferes with the judiciary. For the good of the State each departments should play their roles

effectively in collaboration and not interfering with each other. This is the lesson which modern

politics can learn from Plato’s idea of Justice.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, according to Plato democracy in its pure form doesn’t work. Because good

governance requires a sufficient degree of knowledge and understanding, and democracy in particular

presupposes a competent citizenry, that citizenry, that citizens are interested and informed enough to

participate meaningfully in the democratic processes. Plato’s experience in Athens convinced him that

the Demos of his city state, Polis was incapable of making rational decisions.

On the other hand politics is a matter of expression, advocacy, settlement and modification of

disagreements and agreements. These factors arise due to social diversity and lack of limitation of

human wishes. This makes politics very much a matter of interests and how to live with such interests

in a diverse community. This very nature of politics is a clear denial that all wisdom resides in few

people whose rights to rule must not be questioned.

5
 Therefore, it is with this platonic criticism of democracy and criticism against Plato the modern

prevailing democracy evolves. Modern democracies have the mechanisms of controlling the tyranny of

majority for example; a written constitution and election of elite individuals mostly educated for

governance. Yet, retaining the fundamental nature of democracy that people by all means have the right

to decide the way they are governed.