Quote of the Day -- Plato via Anja Steinbauer
In Book 8 of the Republic, Plato describes how a democracy is
unlikely to be a stable political solution, since it offers freedom but
neglects the demands of proper statecraft. Plato therefore predicts an
almost certain collapse of democracy and decline into tyranny, a total
loss of freedom. Why does democracy involve a neglect of statecraft?
Plato argues that in a system where political power (‘cratos’) lies in the hands of the people (‘demos’)
it is not guaranteed, in fact is unlikely, that those best equipped to
rule will get a chance to manage public affairs. Instead the loudest
voices will dominate, irrational, ill-motivated decisions will be made
and the complex arena of politics which is in need of careful ordering
and management will turn into a crazy circus.
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