Plato's "Republic" is one of the most influential texts in Western political thought. In this book, Plato presents his vision of the "just society" and the essence of justice. This social work had a profound effect on the development of political thought and continues to resonate in politics and political thought to this day.
Plato's "Republic" is divided into 10 books, in which his ideas are presented through dialogue between Socrates and various characters from Athens and beyond. In these dialogues, Socrates argues that justice is a virtue, and that a society in which justice prevails is a society in which all individuals and classes are able to fulfill their proper roles and responsibilities. Plato's vision of a just society is based on the concept of the "philosopher-king". He claims that the ideal ruler is a philosopher who has the knowledge and wisdom to rule justly. This ruler will be someone who seeks truth, virtue and the good of all citizens. In contrast, Plato sees the traditional rulers as those who seek only their power and wealth.
Plato also believed that a just society should be divided into different social classes, with each class having specific roles and responsibilities. The ruling class, consisting of philosopher-kings, will be responsible for running society. The auxiliary status will be responsible for protecting the company and maintaining order. The class of producers will be responsible for satisfying the material needs of the company. One of the most controversial aspects of Plato's thoughts about the state is his idea of the "noble lie." According to this line of thought, the ruling class needs to actively deceive the people in order to maintain order and stability. For example, Plato suggests that in order to convince the guardians of the earth to protect it with their souls, they must be told that the earth is in fact their mother. Plato argues that this is necessary because the people are unable to understand the true nature of justice and therefore need to be guided by those who do.
Plato's influence on political thought and the modern state
Plato's philosophy has had a profound influence on the development of Western political thought. It served as a source of inspiration for various political theories and ideologies, including socialism and fascism. Many political thinkers, from Aristotle to Machiavelli to Karl Marx, were influenced by Plato's ideas. In contemporary politics, Plato's ideas continue to be relevant. His emphasis on the importance of virtue and wisdom in leadership is often cited in discussions of political ethics. His critique of democracy, as presented in the "Republic", is also relevant to contemporary discussions about the role of democracy in society and its potential pitfalls.
Plato's ideas also have implications in the modern context of government and administration, where the talent and virtue of the leader is often considered a key factor in the success of a company. Unfortunately for Plato (and perhaps others) we are not ruled by a philosopher king, but still believe that our rulers should excel in intellectual and moral virtues.
Plato and fascism
Plato's work, particularly The "Republic", has been cited as an influence on fascist ideology in regards to the concept of the philosopher-king. This idea is often associated with fascism, as it suggests that a small group of distinguished individuals should have the power to govern and make decisions for the rest of society. In addition, Plato's belief in a hierarchical society, where different classes have different roles and responsibilities, was also linked to fascist ideas about order and social hierarchy in which each person should serve as a cell serving the collective organism of the state.
However, it is important to note that Plato's ideas have been interpreted and reinterpreted over the centuries and that Plato's work has been used in a variety of ways, some of which are inconsistent with fascist thinking.