Political Philosophy Plato

Common Good Plato believed that people were at their best when they acted in the common good or all in society. Plato believed that people were at their best when they acted in the common good or all in society. The goal of people should be virtuous. The goal of people should be virtuous. The quest of people should be to grow and attain a supreme morality. The quest of people should be to grow and attain a supreme morality.

Common Good Argued material possessions provide a distraction from people achieving a higher state. Argued material possessions provide a distraction from people achieving a higher state. When all the members of a society strive to become virtuous they will put the needs of others and society first. When all the members of a society strive to become virtuous they will put the needs of others and society first. This will create a better society for the person to live in and will result in a happier life. This will create a better society for the person to live in and will result in a happier life.

When people put themselves first it causes conflict within society. When people put themselves first it causes conflict within society. They compete and stop caring about the common good. They compete and stop caring about the common good. This leads to the downfall of society. This leads to the downfall of society.

Who should Lead? Plato believed that society should be split into three classes. Plato believed that society should be split into three classes. Philosopher Rulers, Guardians, and Producers (artisans) Philosopher Rulers, Guardians, and Producers (artisans) “The quality of human life can be improved if people learn to be rational and understand that their real interests lie in harmonious cooperation with one another, and not in war or partisan strife.” “The quality of human life can be improved if people learn to be rational and understand that their real interests lie in harmonious cooperation with one another, and not in war or partisan strife.”

Who Should Lead Philosopher rulers should be the leaders of society. Philosopher rulers should be the leaders of society. Normal people are corrupt and self serving and only better themselves to gain more power. Normal people are corrupt and self serving and only better themselves to gain more power. Philosophers get power from searching for the truth and bettering themselves morally and educationally. Philosophers get power from searching for the truth and bettering themselves morally and educationally. Riches do not matter to them. Riches do not matter to them.

They would be identified in schools and removed from their families. They would be identified in schools and removed from their families. Would not have families or Land as these would cause them to care more about personal issues rather than the state. Would not have families or Land as these would cause them to care more about personal issues rather than the state. Philosophers enjoy respect and leisure. Philosophers enjoy respect and leisure.

Guardian Class This group is the protectors of the state. This group is the protectors of the state. They enjoy the physical aspects of life. They enjoy the physical aspects of life. Get honour and worth from protecting the city and other military honours. Get honour and worth from protecting the city and other military honours. They have little interest in leisure or wealth, they want status and reputation. They have little interest in leisure or wealth, they want status and reputation.

Producers are artists, business people. Producers are artists, business people. They enjoy wealth and producing goods. They enjoy wealth and producing goods. They have families, and possessions but have no desire to rule or attain honour or knowledge unless it benefits their business. They have families, and possessions but have no desire to rule or attain honour or knowledge unless it benefits their business.

The three groups work for the mutually benefit of each other in harmony. The three groups work for the mutually benefit of each other in harmony. Each class is working in the things they are best at. Each class is working in the things they are best at. All interests will be served. All interests will be served. Society is organized for the common good. Society is organized for the common good.

Aristotle BCE BCE Student of Plato’s Academy Student of Plato’s Academy Agreed with Plato’s theory that the most just rulers rule for the common good of all. Agreed with Plato’s theory that the most just rulers rule for the common good of all. Sent his students all over the world to discover the types of governments used. Sent his students all over the world to discover the types of governments used.

Aristotle Defined three categories of governments Defined three categories of governments Rule by the one, Rule by the few, Rule by the many. Rule by the one, Rule by the few, Rule by the many. Correct regimes rule for the benefit of all, corrupt regimes rule for the benefit of themselves. Correct regimes rule for the benefit of all, corrupt regimes rule for the benefit of themselves.

Deviations of the correct regimes. Deviations of the correct regimes. Correct regimes are Monarchy (ruled by the one), Aristocracy (rule by the few), Polity (rule by the many). Correct regimes are Monarchy (ruled by the one), Aristocracy (rule by the few), Polity (rule by the many). Corrupt are Tyranny (rule by one), Oligarchy (rule by the few), Democracy (rule by the many). Corrupt are Tyranny (rule by one), Oligarchy (rule by the few), Democracy (rule by the many).

Why Democracy was Corrupt Aristotle also ranked the regime Aristotle also ranked the regime Monarchy was the best, Aristocracy, Polity, Democracy, Oligarchy, Tyranny (the worst) Monarchy was the best, Aristocracy, Polity, Democracy, Oligarchy, Tyranny (the worst) During this time women, slaves, and Manual labourers were not considered citizens. During this time women, slaves, and Manual labourers were not considered citizens.

Why Democracy was Corrupt They existed for the common good of the citizens so they could have a privileged life. They existed for the common good of the citizens so they could have a privileged life. In places with democracy there are two groups: In places with democracy there are two groups: The few rich and the many poor. The few rich and the many poor. These two groups are always in conflict. These two groups are always in conflict.

Why Democracy was Corrupt Because of this conflict people who are not virtuous are free to take power. Because of this conflict people who are not virtuous are free to take power. There are more people in Plato’s producer class and therefore they will get more votes. There are more people in Plato’s producer class and therefore they will get more votes. The producers will always outnumber the most virtuous groups. The producers will always outnumber the most virtuous groups.

Machiavelli Author of The Prince Author of The Prince First to separate politics and ethics First to separate politics and ethics Believed good politics is politics that succeeds. Believed good politics is politics that succeeds. Good or bad does not matter as long as you win. Good or bad does not matter as long as you win.

Machiavelli He argued that it didn’t matter if a ruler was ethical or good as long as the people believed he was good. He argued that it didn’t matter if a ruler was ethical or good as long as the people believed he was good. Leaders should wear a mask and create an image to convince or fool the public. Leaders should wear a mask and create an image to convince or fool the public. They should do whatever it takes to gain power including lie. They should do whatever it takes to gain power including lie.

Machiavelli Machiavelli stated that it would be best to be both loved and feared. But since the two rarely come together, anyone compelled to choose will find greater security in being feared than in being loved. Machiavelli stated that it would be best to be both loved and feared. But since the two rarely come together, anyone compelled to choose will find greater security in being feared than in being loved.

Divisions of Government Modern Governments consist of three branches of government. Modern Governments consist of three branches of government. Executive Executive Legislative Legislative Judicial Judicial

Executive Executive is composed of elected individuals and chosen by the Leader to act as their advisors. Executive is composed of elected individuals and chosen by the Leader to act as their advisors. In Canada this would be the PM and all of the Ministers i.e minister of Education, Health, Defence etc. In Canada this would be the PM and all of the Ministers i.e minister of Education, Health, Defence etc.

Legislative Voted into power during elections and usually belong to a political Party. Voted into power during elections and usually belong to a political Party. This branch makes and approves laws and bills. This branch makes and approves laws and bills. In democracies they approve actions created by the leader of the executive. In democracies they approve actions created by the leader of the executive. These are the Members of Parliament in Canada. These are the Members of Parliament in Canada.

Judicial Branch Composed of Courts Composed of Courts Usually appointed by executive Usually appointed by executive Ensures the constitution is followed Ensures the constitution is followed This includes Charter of Rights and Freedoms cases. This includes Charter of Rights and Freedoms cases.

Types of Government Authority Traditional – Leaders are chosen by hereditary. Family usually associated with being divine. Traditional – Leaders are chosen by hereditary. Family usually associated with being divine. Usually Monarchy Usually Monarchy

Legal Authority Governments are also formed but have to abide by rules or a constitution. Governments are also formed but have to abide by rules or a constitution. They must follow previously established rules such as term lengths, elections. They must follow previously established rules such as term lengths, elections. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms limits government powers. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms limits government powers. Agreement between the Government and the people. Agreement between the Government and the people.

Autocratic Authority This is a government achieved by the use of force. This is a government achieved by the use of force. Ideological or religious beliefs form the basis of support. Ideological or religious beliefs form the basis of support. Usually have to be supported through military and the elite. Usually have to be supported through military and the elite. Laws are imposed from above. Laws are imposed from above.

Autocratic Authority

Political Leadership and Change There are many ways leadership changes in society. There are many ways leadership changes in society. Elections Elections Hereditary and Designated Succession Hereditary and Designated Succession Coups d’Etat Coups d’Etat

Elections Most orderly way of having leadership change. Most orderly way of having leadership change. Most modern systems have one person one vote. Most modern systems have one person one vote. Uses the party system Uses the party system Everyone that is a citizen may run for office Everyone that is a citizen may run for office

Fraud in Elections Throughout history there have been limits to true democracy. Throughout history there have been limits to true democracy. Literacy tests used as a way to keep African Americans from voting. (it was illegal for them to be taught to read) Literacy tests used as a way to keep African Americans from voting. (it was illegal for them to be taught to read) Women were not given the vote in Can until Women were not given the vote in Can until Threats at the polls Threats at the polls

2000 U.S Elections between Gore and G W Bush so close 2000 U.S Elections between Gore and G W Bush so close had to be determined by the supreme court had to be determined by the supreme court Came down to state of Florida where Bush’s Brother was governor. Came down to state of Florida where Bush’s Brother was governor. Led to many protests Led to many protests

Hereditary and Designated Succession Used in Monarchical Systems tradition or cultural rule determines next leader. Used in Monarchical Systems tradition or cultural rule determines next leader. Rulers are believed to be gods or chosen by god Rulers are believed to be gods or chosen by god Leadership usually given to oldest son. Leadership usually given to oldest son.

Hereditary and Designated Succession Autocratic authority governments designate successors Autocratic authority governments designate successors Fidel Castro handed over power of his country to his brother Raul Fidel Castro handed over power of his country to his brother Raul Kim Il Sung gave power to his son Kim Jong-Il. North Korea had to mourn the father’s death for three years. Kim Il Sung gave power to his son Kim Jong-Il. North Korea had to mourn the father’s death for three years.

Coup D’Etat Means “blow against the state” Means “blow against the state” Overthrows an existing government to establish an autocratic government Overthrows an existing government to establish an autocratic government Usually involves violence. Usually involves violence.

Coup D’Etat Takes place quickly supported by a military. Takes place quickly supported by a military. Fidel Castro and Che Guevara in Cuba. Fidel Castro and Che Guevara in Cuba.