Plato's Political Philosophy: Justice and the Ideal State in The Republic
Plato's Political Theory
Among Plato's major concerns is his analysis of politics. In Athens, Socrates and Plato identified two defects: incompetence and ignorance, and the struggles between groups of oligarchic and democratic tendencies.
Social Organization and Justice in The Republic
In The Republic, Plato explains his conception of ideal political and social organization through an inquiry into justice (defined as giving each his own). He proposes an analysis of what is "just" for the individual and the city to achieve a satisfactory definition. The basic human needs are food, shelter, and clothing.
The central theme of The Republic is ideal political organization and the education of citizens.
Core Theories of the Ideal State
Plato proposed two core theories:
- The government of the city should be a true art.
- The knowledge-based society is founded on the mutual satisfaction of needs among its members, whose skills are complementary.
Platonic Division of the City and Soul
The Platonic division of the city corresponds to the tripartite division of the human soul. Each group practices a specific virtue:
- Rulers/Philosophers: Wisdom
- Guardian-Warriors: Courage
- Producers: Farmers and artisans (Temperance)
Justice appears as the regulatory principle of the relations between individuals and the State. Plato arrives at a definition of politics as "making each his own."
Training Guardians and Rulers
A city is happy when each class fulfills its mission under the ideal command. In this city, government is reserved for the best, selected based on their natural abilities and education, without distinction of sex. The ruler's task is to monitor and maintain this order. Plato dedicates a large part of The Republic to analyzing the natural abilities and addressing the education of guardians and rulers.
Education of the Guardians
Guardians must follow a special regimen of life:
- They must remain separate.
- They must possess no private wealth or housing.
- They must forgo family life.
This ensures they are in the proper condition to fulfill their unique role as servants of the Republic.
Education of the Rulers (Philosopher Kings)
Rulers are selected from the best of the guardian class. Their origin and selection are central to Plato's concerns. Plato establishes a relationship between knowledge and the right (and even the duty) to rule. The ruling class is an aristocracy of intellect.
The philosopher must practice dialectics (the method to achieve the maximum degree of knowledge) and study fundamental sciences. Only the philosopher, according to Plato, possesses the necessary qualities for governing the city.