He explains that the strong can only be powerful when they make just choices, otherwise they will be overthrown by a united majority. Plato, and Socrates, introduces the idea that knowledge exists for the benefit of others, and that justice is no different. Therefore, rulers must exist to benefit others, or else they will rule no more. The Republic goes on to show many more examples throughout text, including why justice benefits the weak as well. Socrates argues that justice, when defined properly, is not subjective nor does it benefit only one group of people.
Best government provides for a properly educated middle class – they are free of excesses found in upper and middle class. 3. Democracy is the least dangerous form of government, but can lead people to believe they are equal in every way—which they are not! 4. Majority is supreme and whatever they approve must be just.
It also stressed the political role of the independent landowner and warned against the tendency of political power to encroach upon liberty. A republic demanded a virtuous citizenry and thus a high moral code to ensure continued freedom. The founders thought that luxury, factionalism, and other vices were ever-present dangers, seeds of destruction that lurked in the souls of their fellow citizens and within themselves. (1) Additionally, a man's investment in luxuries signaled to his fellow Americans that he might support the ideas of aristocracy and monarchy instead of republicanism. Therefore republicanism called for thriftiness, simplicity and plainness in all things, be it fashion or food.
The democratic form of government is most familiar to the modern western citizen. However, there are many forms of communism and dictatorships which exist around the world today. The ancient philosopher Plato protests that a monarchist oligarchy, which calls upon an elite group for governance, is the best possible form of government. However, based on vagueness in terms and overgeneralizations Plato creates a flaw in his argument and weakens its validity. Through the elimination of social class systems and based on the separation between Government and economy it may be seen that the platonic ‘drone’ will not lead to tyranny.
BENTHAM developed the notion of democracy as a form protection for the individual into a case for universal suffrage. Utilitarian’s have argued that individuals will vote so as to advance or defend their interest. Bentham believed that universal suffrage is the only way of promoting the greatest happiness for the greatest number. However, liberals also have an ambivalent view of democracy. Liberalism places great stress on the protection of individual’s rights while democracy emphasise on collective control.
* Federalists- People who supported the Constitution during its adoption. They believed in large national government, weaker state government, and government by the elites. * Anti-Federalists- People who opposed the Constitution during its adoption. They wanted a small national government, strong state government, rule of the common man, and protections of individual liberties. * Define and give an example of separation of powers and checks and balances * Separation of powers- An aspect of the Madisonian Model of government that requires each of the three branched of government to be independent of and to share power with each other so that one cannot control the others.
He does not narrow it down to what we might call ‘civil servants’ but also includes people who have to perform jury duties, take part in assemblies etcetera. According to Aristotle his definition of citizenship works best in a democracy because that form of constitution offers enough public functions, and thus enough chances, to become a citizen. Aristotle realizes very well that although this point of view would work very well in his home polis of Athens, it would not work at all in e.g. Sparta where taking part in public office had a more ad hoc character. To overcome this Aristotle changes his basic rules.
Paper 3 “1” In Ancient Greece there was the Spartans and the Athenians. The Spartans had a oligarchy type of government while the Athenians had a democracy type of government. The Athenians democratic government was decently equal and pretty advanced for its time. During this time war was popular, but Athens decided to focus more on comfort and civilization then their military. Sparta put a military attitude in its society and made it the first priority to have a powerful army.
Machiavelli yearns to create a republic comprised of citizens who are politically active creatures who in the formation of collective policy transform their own selfish and egoistic needs, interests and concerns into a common good; a common good that is not indicative of a genera will of a flock of sheep but is instead a manifestation of a republican state populated by individual autonomous citizens. A state that could take strong and cohesive political action in response to the threats of outside forces. Machievelli’s other well known work, The Discourses on Rome is a study of how republics arise, develop, sustain and, if necessary, re-invent themselves. This book, The Prince is a treatise on the acts and duties of a class of men, Princes or sovereign powers from which the person responsible for ultimately founding a republic will emerge. For me, the key place to start in attempting to make sense of Machievelli, of thinking through how a participatory politics can possibly coexist with appeals to treachery and violence is with the following quote: “Fortune is a woman and if she is to be submissive it is necessary to beat and coerce her.
Since the foundation of democracy is based upon the concept of a government that is created by the people to serve the people, the range of participants must not be limited by factors such as social class. In “Pericles’ Funeral Oration,” Thucydides describes Athenian democracy by asserting that their “constitution is called a democracy because power is in the hands not of a minority but of the whole people,” (73). While the wealthy upper class of historical societies have always been dominant in swaying society to their will, democracy serves to make sure that the interests of everyone else have just as much pertinence when it comes to politics. Although elites may believe that the poor should not have a say because their agenda will serve to bring society down, if someone is contributing or wishes to contribute to