Plato_&_Machaivelli

Plato & Machaivelli Power, community and the best way to rule have been an issue of longstanding debate in human history. Who should have power, how should one rule and what role should the government play are questions that have been at the forefront of every civilization and have sparked conflict and controversy on a number of occasions. The fundamental components of control have placed the human need for order and system against the human desire for freedom. However, the debate concerning power and community has been touched upon by philosophers and has not solely been the subject of politicians or monarchs. Both Niccolò Machiavelli, in his writings “The Prince” and “Discourses”, and Plato, in his work “The Republic”, address the concepts of power and community in relation to politics and leadership. According to Plato the primary duty of government is to allow people to live in their respective classes and to practice a craft, which they have a natural aptitude for. In short, Plato’s government while giving the illusion of freedom strengthens the exigency for community. On the other hand, Machiavelli proposes that the government’s chief interest is to remain intact, thereby preserving stability for the people who live under it. plato, government, ruler, power, machiavelli, people, one, class, city, states, stability, rule, populace, state, rulers, elite, plato’s, order, been, three, reason, new, forms, through, souls, soul, satisfied, ruling, republic, political, philosophy, philosophers, part, live, individual