socrates on democracy

Socrates on Democracy

Socrates makes it very clear; he is not a fan of Democracy. He is openly objected to the type of democracy that Athens was running during his adult life. In contrast he was against all forms of government at the time. Socrates believes in the connection between virtue and knowledge. The masses, being uneducated, were therefore not virtuous and not fit to rule. Democracy is the rule of people, and as a group people are very indecisive so we end up trying to have everything we can, but this leads us to not getting what we really need. Democracy precisely means to let all people have power, however it is human nature to not share power. He believes Democracy should be implemented, but it is just the nature of the world to have emperors or kings, so Democracy is just temporary. The transition to democracy occurred after a revolution in which the rich oligarchic rules were overthrown and disposed of and the poor gained control. They then provided everyone with equal rights. Soon a disregard towards authority develops. Citizens become divided into three classes; the ruling class of politicians, the middle businessman class, and the large mass of the poor people whom mostly stay out of politics. Next, politicians begin to pass laws in order to meet their spending promises. Then, a political party formed by wealthy will be made in order to resist taxes. The poor get involved and select a leader who will eventually gain power and become corrupted by it, and disregards all aspects of freedom in order to fill ones own individual desires. Socrates makes valid points why democracy is not the best form of government, however it is not the worst either. People in favor of Democracy feel this is not fair since democracy is the form of government that does give the most individualistic freedom. People assume freedom bring the most happiness to people which is why states must strive for it. The big reason its one of the poorer forms of