Political Science and International Relations

                               Plato's statement that " state is individual writ large " reflect his belief that the state's structure mirrors the soul of the individual. This idea is central to his political philosophy particularly in 'The republic" where he explores the nature of justice, both in individual and in state.                                Plato posits that as the soul consists of three parts i.e. reason , spirit and appetite , state is structured into three corresponding classes i.e. rulers , auxiliaries and producers . Rulers (reason) they are philosopher kings who govern with wisdom. Auxiliaries (spirit) they are the warriors who defend the state. Producers (appetite) they are the workers who fulfill societies material need. Justice for Plato is achieved when each part of the soul or class of the state perform...

                                     Plato's assertion that "reality is the shadow of ideas" lies at the heart of his 'theory of forms ' vividly illustrated in the 'allegory of the cave ' in ' The republic '. According to Plato the 'theory of forms ' suggests that the physical world that we perceive through our senses is not the true reality but merely a shadow or imperfect reflection of a higher unchanging reality.                                      The 'allegory of the cave' describes a group of people who have been chained inside a dark cave since birth and they are positioned in such a way that they can only see the shadows projected on the wall in front of them. Behind them there was fire and between fire and the prisoners there was a walkway. Objects were moving on that walkway and then thos...

                              Plato's concept of philosopher ruler as a linchpin of his ideal state is a corner stone of his political philosophy detailed in ' The republic '. According to Plato the ideal state is based on the tripartite hierarchical structure comprising of the ruling class (philosopher kings), the auxiliaries (warriors) and the producers (farmers, artisans, merchants etc). Among these the philosopher rulers are paramount ensuring the states proper functioning and justice.                               Plato posits that only philosopher rulers possess the requisite wisdom, virtue, and knowledge to govern justly. He argues that philosopher by nature seek truth, understanding the forms especially the forms of good , his profound knowledge enables them to transcend the personal desires, making decisions that promote the comm...

                                    Karl Popper in his book ' The open society and its enemies' talks about 3 philosophers - Plato, Hegel and Karl Marx whom he believes to be the enemies of the open society. Karl Popper argued that Plato's political philosophy as outlined in his work ' The republic ' advocated for a hierarchical (tripartite society i.e. rulers, auxiliary and producers) and authoritarian  society (abolition of private family, eugenics etc.), he thinks was incompatible with the principle of an open society.                                        Popper saw that Plato's vision of an ideal society involved a rigid class system, strict control over citizens life both personal and professional. According to Popper these ideas reflected a tendency towards totalitarianism (a scenari...