Plato’s Republic- Communism

Plato suggests that a republic should basically envisage a place of good doing and where the rulers are not driven by selfish ambitions due to the fact that they are enlightened. He further ascertains that these rulers form a small part of the population and the rest of the population, which is the majority, is comprised of individuals whose acts are driven at least by selfish motives. Plato assumes that in a republic there are no winners and losers hence the view that human beings are agents of good will. Plato holds onto the belief that people belonging to various classes in the society are always in need of a minimal property so as to be able to develop individually. In his advocacy for communism, there are however certain strengths and weaknesses. (Porterfield& Link, 2004)

Weaknesses

Plato ignores the human being’s essence which is built around individuality. In most of his observations and argument, Plato bases on the need for the mighty and the powerful to give up some things in their possessions, failing to acknowledge the need for self gratification by these individuals. This therefore weakens his analysis as it should entail the society as a whole. In his analysis, he creates a distinction line between those who own property and those who own nothing. This exhibits discrimination. He further advocates for the communism of wives with sheer disregard to the sex instincts and primary paternal instincts. This is a misgiving as it is not appropriate for someone to ignore the instincts be it in public duty or not. (Kraut, 2000)

Strengths

Plato bases his views on good life and envisions a society characterized by the few rulers being on the lookout for the good. His argument is based on the fact that the few should not posses too much power so as to avoid corruption of it. He suggests that this power can be reduced by taking away the material wealth from the few. His view is that rulers are to give up certain things so as to have power and observes that societal gaps will eventually be filled by the people themselves through finding rhythms. He is a proponent for the fact that every person in the society should strive towards achieving goodness and establishing an ideal culture. (Jayapalan, 2002)

Summarily, Plato emphasizes the fact that for everyone in the society to be contented, there is need for a majority of the people to be comfortable. If this is not the case, then they should be made to bear a belief that they are doing quite well and avoid rebellions.

Individualism versus the emphasis on community in the Republic- Western societies

Plato’s ‘republic’ seems to be based on the emphasis of a community as it is based on the fact that focus is put on a group more rather than on individuals especially on matters of economic, social and political concerns. It is more of the notion that associations or groups’ claims must supersede those claims of individuals and that the society is placed above individuals. However, this emphasis on the community has been in constant conflict with individualism especially in the Western societies. Individualism, which Plato seems to be opposed to, bases on the fact that individuals are independent and should be entitled to the judgment of his or her own mind. However, individualism comes with a lot of responsibility. The western societies tend to be at crossroads over the two principles.

Work Cited.

Jayapalan, N. Comprehensive Study Of Plato. New Delhi: Atlantic Publishers & Dist, 2002. Print.

Kraut, R. Plato's Republic: Critical Essays. UK: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2000. Print.

Porterfield, J. & Link, T. Communism: A Primary Source Analysis. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, 2004. Print