Platos Republic and Modern Day Totalitarian Politics Term Paper

Platos Republic and Modern Day Totalitarian Politics - Term Paper Example In the contemporary society, every individual identifies themselves to political legitimacy while, elected leaders believe their election provides them with a political mandate, and also legitimacy. Conversely, authoritarian leaders or politicians believe their decisions are in line with citizen’s interest and suggest their rule only prevails until the citizens can take over. Hence, when viewed in popular discourse, it can be said that authoritarians too claim that their legitimacy is depended on a popular mandate. Most leaders, and especially dictators often reiterate that their acts are not against the popular legitimacy. Plato is viewed as being anti-democracy, and among the originators of the school of thought of totalitarianism. Plato himself believed it is ideal to appoint one supreme guardian also referred to as, the philosopher king (Michels 522). This according to Plato should be individuals withholding proper education and is competent to implement legislative polici es. Further, as reiterated by Plato, the philosopher king needs to be someone incorruptible as a result of his own desire being, knowledge. The Republic described by Plato presents various dialogues between Socrates and other observers in regard to political theory resonating with a just state. Plato never believed in democracy and focused on a perception that not every individual in the society had the ability to make wise choices or decisions. As stated by Socrates, the Platonic principle revolves around a few people within a just city considered possessing wisdom. Further, the Platonic principle suggests that the majority should place their trust in the few people whose desire is truth and wisdom, to provide leadership. In addition, such people are considered to be rational, and as a result, provide a ruling cadre that is just, and ensure the city that they rule is also just (Michels 526). According to Plato, Justice is not a tenet for the ruling within a capitalist society, and contribute minimally within a democratic republic. Plato never admired or believed in money since he regarded its power as corrupting the mind. Plato believed the society would exist in harmony without the presence of money. When a question was raised in the Republic of how the city could protect itself, yet there is no money, Socrates responded that the neighbouring cities would come to their aid if promised what remains after a war. In the world today, as part of advancing democratic principles, war is seen as a source of amassing national wealth. In essence, leaders who are motivated, not by justice often find means for rationalizing their immoral actions and use the ends for purposes of justifying the means. As a result, The Republic advocated for a view where morality should outweigh rationality (Brooks 51).The Plato’s assertion of leaving power into the few chosen who have the wisdom and desire to make the right choice can be associated with the emergence of totalitaria nism in the modern world. Individuals gain power today and form a belief system that power is a reserve for a few and establishes a dynasty, as a result. A number of governments across the world that today practice a totalitarian rule push their way into power as a result of popular consent from the population believing in their ability to make wise choices for the benefit of the entire population.  Ã‚