Plato vs. Aristotle Political Philosophies

Plato

• Lived from 427-347 BCE
• Was in Ancient Athens
• Distrusted democracy because the citizens executed his mentor Socrates
• The average person is unwilling to think so shouldn't be in government
• Philosophers should be wise and ethical kings
• Believed in expertise
• People should aim for a life of wisdom and virtue
• Promotes knowledge and wise decision-making
• Avoids poor decisions from the 'mob'
• Limits individual citizens roles
• Gives a lot of power to potentially unethical leaders

Aristotle

• Lived from 384-322 BCE
• Born in northern Greece and studied under Plato in Athens
• Eudaimonia means "flourishing" or "living well" and is the highest human good
• The Golden Mean is the balance between extremes
• Civic engagement and citizen involvement in the government is essential for a healthy society
• The most important question is 'on whose behalf do leaders govern' NOT who governs
• A true government would try to rule for the common good of all
• Corrupt governments only rule for themselves
• Laid the foundation for modern scientific and philosophical thoughts
• Developed a practical and ethical system focused on character and balance
• Influenced political theory and governance
• States the importance of WHAT society needs but not HOW to achieve it

Legalism

• Existed from 453-221 BCE
• Developed in China after the Warring States Period
• Unified China under the Qin dynasty
• Believed humans are inherently self-interested and inclined to wrong
• Emphasized a system of law with strict punishments and rewards to strengthen the state
• Centralized government would allow enforcement of laws and policies more efficiently
• This helped unify the Qin Dynasty's control
• Advantages include order, stability, efficient policies, a strong state, and obedient people
• Disadvantages include the risk of tyranny, harsh punishments, and resistance/rebellion

Liberalism

• Hard to pinpoint a start date but likely during the Enlightenment era
• A response to absolute monarchies and feudalism
• Influenced political movements globally
• Advocates for individual rights
• Advocates for checks and balances on governmental power for protection
• Believes in optimistic human nature and trusting people to make decisions
• Typically calls for a government that protects freedom for individual choice and liberty
• Advocates for individual liberty, respect for other opinions, democratic governance, and political equality
• Advantages include promotion of individual rights/freedoms, economic benefits, and social progress
• Disadvantages include economic challenges, cultural concerns, implementation issues, and balancing competing issues

Machiavelli

• Lived from 1469-1527
• Was in Italy, Florence
• An advisor to the leaders of Florence and observed how leaders behaved
• Used ideas of realism, talking about how things were rather than how they could be
• Power was the key component for a successful government to allow them to do good

Montesquieu

• Lived from January 18th, 1689 to February 10th, 1755
• Was in France during the Enlightenment Era
• Government is split into different branches with each branch having its own responsibilities
• The Executive Branch enforces laws
• The Legislative Branch creates or changes laws
• The Judicial Branch or Courts, judges the laws
• Congress makes laws that can be declared unconstitutional by the courts
• Prevents authoritarianism
• Leads to moderate and thoughtful changes because multiple branches are involved
• Bureaucratic and slow
• Only works if branches check each other

Hobbes

• Lived from 1588-1679
• Was in Westport Wilshire, England
• Believed humans nature was evil and government is needed to protect the public
• The government should have total power

Locke

• Lived from 1632-1704
• Was an English philosopher who wrote about social contract
• Disagreed with Hobbes on the nature of man and the amount of power government should have
• Believed people were good and capable of making knowledgeable decisions
• The government should benefit the public
• People should be able to overthrow the government
• Power should be shared, legislative and executive
• Heavily trust society, but sometimes, a proper organization and structure of government is needed

Rousseau

• Lived from June 28, 1712 – July 2, 1778
• Post-Enlightenment, time of philosophies revolving around responsibilities and rights of people and government
• Born in Geneva, Switzerland
• His ideas inspired French Revolution leaders
• The state of nature was good but ruined by society, impossible to return to
• Proper laws can promote freedom
• Individual freedom should be surrendered for the general will
• The general will is what is best for society
• People should communicate to vote on what is best
• Laws should be made by and for the people
• The government should minimize inequality and educate the people
• Democratic process makes the majority happy
• Pushes for public education which helps people make better choices
• Overly optimistic that equality will make everyone's views the same and that people's views will change after the vote
• Says people are forced to be free, but it is questionable if you are really free

Populism

• Hard to pinpoint a start date
• Plato feared persuasive leaders with rhetoric to convince people to make bad decisions
• Global and popular in the world's democracies
• Led by a charismatic figure
• Anti-Elite and Anti-Institution
• Uses "Us vs. Them" Mentality
• Has Simple answers for complex problems
• Uses rhetoric to gain votes
• Can combine with other ideologies like nationalism or socialism
• Some view it as democratic because it is the expression of the will of the majority
• Manifests as grassroots movements of citizens that correct inequality
• Lacks respect for pluralism and divides rather than unites
• Can lead to citizens giving up their rights and choosing authoritarian leaders based on lies and charisma