POLITICAL SCIENCE-II

(POLITICAL THOUGHT)
SUBJECT CODE: BLLB-202

Unit-I (1)
 AN INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL THOUGHT

 The study of any social science is impossible without an

understanding of the historical evolution of the subject.
 Political thoughts are influenced by political events and
historical circumstances.
 Political thought evaluating the social and economic
circumstances in which the political institutions arose and
maintained themselves.
 AN INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL THOUGHT

 The political institutions, political ideas, governance

systems, and political behavior which we observe today are
the result of evolution of centuries.
 Political Thought explores concepts such as justice,
authority, power, liberty, and the role of the state, offering
frameworks for understanding and evaluating political
phenomena.
 The best political philosophers have always been well
aware of the existing realities; they have given intense and
systematic study to the needs and capabilities of man and
society.
WHAT IS POLITICAL THOUGHT?

 Philosophers, sages and intellectuals since ancient times have been

reflecting on the problems of the universe including those of human
life and society.
 The observations of distinguished thinkers and philosophers regarding
the political aspect of the social life largely constitute political thought.
 It comprehends most of the characteristics of social thought, namely
their views on human nature, human predicament, human ingenuity
and the possible way to human emancipation and human progress.
The Classical World

 The legacy of classical Greece and Rome in the modern world is

immense.
 Much of the way we think about politics and law can be traced back
to the ideas formulated by the Greeks, and to the political and legal
practices of the Romans.
 Studying the Classical World in the context of Political Thought
offers a deep understanding of the historical roots of political ideas,
the evolution of governance structures, and enduring principles that
continue to shape political discourse today.
PLATO (427-347 B.C.)
 Plato has been generally regarded as the founder of philosophical
idealism by virtue of his conviction that there is a universal idea in the
world of eternal reality beyond the world of the senses.
 Plato was born in May 427 B.C. in Athens in a distinguished aristocratic
family. Plato’s real name was Aristocles which meant the ‘best and
renowned.’
 He was given the nickname Plato because of his strong body with broad
shoulders. He interested to be a great soldier and excellent sports man.
But instead of following these, he was fascinated by the philosophy of
his mentor Socrates.
 Almost all we know about Socrates is from Plato’s writings.
SOCRATES
 Plato was the most brilliant disciple of Socrates.
 Plato's writings convey a deep respect and admiration for Socrates.
Socrates is portrayed as a wise and virtuous figure.
 Plato paid a rich tribute to Socrates in these words “I thank God that I
was born in Greek and not barbarian above all I was born in the age of
Socrates.”
 Socrates always acted as per his conscience, and maintained his
independence that often lead to threat of his life by Thirty Tyrants.
 When democratic party came to power Socrates became a philosopher
and educator, and the rulers suspected that he was undermining their
authority by motivating the youth to question all sorts of authority.
 Consequently they awarded him death sentence (poison hemlock) on
the ground that he did not recognize Gods that the city recognized and
to introduce new divinities and corrupting the youths of Athens (False
allegations).
 This event had a profound impact on the young mind of Plato who then
turned to most vigorous pursuit of philosophy.
 The tragic end of Socrates filled Plato’s mind with a scorn for
democracy.
 He realized that when incompetent people had become rulers merely
through the skills of oratory, they did not hesitate to execute the wisest
man of their land only to save their ill-earned position.
 He was convinced that in order to save the state from its ills, democracy
should be replaced by the rule of the wisest and the best.
 After Socrates' death in 399 B.C., Plato left Athens and visited Egypt,
Sicily, Italy, and studied with students of Pythagoras, and spent several
years advising the ruling family of Syracuse in Sicily.
 Plato returned Athens after 12 years at the age of 40. By this time he
had turned to be a philosopher and he started writing his monumental
work “The Republic” which is regarded to be a masterpiece on
philosophy.
 He also made other works namely ‘The Statesman’ and ‘The Laws.’
 Plato’s main concern was how to make politics in the way of
establishing morality, justice and virtue in society.
 According to Plato a good state is a just state in which wisdom rules.
This is the main theme of his Republic (386 BC).
 After return to Athens, he established an Academy in 387 B.C. which is
probably known as the first university of the ancient western world,
which produced many brilliant philosophers including Aristotle.
 Plato considered Education as the fundamental method/means to
achieve individual justice and social justice.
 He began to teach various subjects in his Academy though special
emphasis was given to moral teaching. The teachers of Academy were
directed by Plato to follow their method of teaching which would be
able to change the mind of people.
 Plato thought that for a good and ideal state/society the citizen must be
made good, moral and virtuous.
 Plato’s sole purpose was to establish an ideal state. Plato understand
that the establishment of an ideal state is only possible through a well
educated system.
 Plato died in 347 B.C. The Academy remained over 900 years a model
for institutions of higher learning until Emperor Justinian closed it in
529 A.D.
PLATO’S IDEAL STATE
 The Pythagorean theory of human nature influenced Plato.
 According to Plato, a state is a living body, and it represents the same features
at the larger level that an individual represents at a smaller level.
 Individuals are the organs of the state. As an organ cannot survive without
body, similarly, an individual is nothing out of the state. State is composed of
classes and these classes are its parts.
 He based his ideal state on the three major classes.
 The ruling class, highly educated in philosophy, is to administer the state.
 A military class, having courage and physical strength, is to defend the state
while professional class is needed to deal with the ordinary or common daily
affairs of the state.
 So, he bases his ideal state on the three major classes, which are the ruling
class, military class and the professional class.
MAJOR FEATURES OF PLATO’S IDEAL STATE
RULE OF PHILOSOPHER KING: According to Plato an Ideal State must be governed by
a philosopher king with wisdom. He possess high qualities of head and heart and
could not be corrupted by concentration of power in his hands. He has virtue and
“ knowledge and bound by no law. Such a king can look after the welfare of all.
Unless…philosophers become kings in the cities…there can be no cessation of evils.. for cities nor, I think,
for the human race.” –Plato, The Republic.
“Until philosophers are kings or the kings and princes of this world have the spirit and the power of
philosophy and political greatness and wisdom meet in one, cities will never rest from their evils.”
(Plato)
EQUAL TREATMENT OF MEN AND WOMEN: Philosopher king should make all efforts
for building character of both men and women. Plato advocated that women possess
“natural capacities” equal to men for governing and defending ancient Greece. Both
are useful citizen and there should not be any discrimination between them.
According to Plato, equal opportunities should be given to both men and women for
their economic, social, intellectual and political uplift. Plato was the first feminist of
his time in this context.
 CENSORSHIP OF ART AND LITERATURE: According to Plato no cheap, unpopular
or immoral literature & Art should come before the people. It may undermine the
values of the state. Literature & Art should promote high moral character.
DIVISION OF CLASSES: Plato divided society into three categories.
CATEGORY SOCIAL CLASS DOMINANT TRAIT BEFITTING VIRTUE
NO:
I. RULERS RATIONAL/KNOWLEDGE WISDOM
II. SOLDIERS SPIRITED/EMOTION COURAGE
III. TRADERS/PRODUCERS DESIRE/APPETITE TEMPERANCE

Plato’s Ideal State RULERS

SOLDIERS

TRADERS/ARTISAN
PRINCIPLE OF FUNCTIONAL SPECIALISATION: Plato proposed everyone
should perform functions assigned to him and should try to attain
perfection in that field, further, not try to go beyond that.
Plato was of the view that due to multiple wants, an individual could not
fulfill all his desires by himself alone due to lack of capacity. Thus co-
operation among individuals should be necessary to satisfy their mutual
desires. Some people are specialized in performing some certain tasks.
STATE CONTROLLED EDUCATION: Plato provided for a state regulated free
and compulsory education system. Philosopher/ruler should control the
education system in an ideal state. Not any private agency.
JUSTICE IN IDEAL STATE: Plato argues that ‘justice’ is obviously the
ultimate purpose of the state. Hence, an ideal state must be based
on justice. According to Plato, Justice is a sort of specialization.
The conception of social justice as the fitting by each man of his
appointed sphere is the cardinal conception of the Republic. Justice
is the bond which binds every member of society together. It forms
a harmonious union of individuals.
COMMUNISM OF WIVES AND PROPERTY: Plato was of the view that
guardian class should live under the system of communism of
property and family. The rulers and soldiers do not possess any
property of their own.
PLATO’S NOTION OF JUSTICE
 Discovering the principles of justice is the central problem of Plato’s Republic.
For Plato, the state was the ideal of which justice was the reality.
 Plato argues that justice is the ultimate purpose of the state. Hence, an ideal
state must be based on justice.
 Justice is a necessary condition of good life. Justice in society can be
established by determining the proper status and functions of various social
classes.
 Through proper education, individuals develop the virtues necessary for a
just and harmonious society.
 Similar to Socrates, Plato also consider that “Virtue is Knowledge” because
there could be no virtue without knowledge or knowledge is inseparable
from virtue.
 When people are not guided by knowledge, they turn out to be
multitude without order, moving haphazardly to fulfil their conflicting
desires.
 In the absence of guidance by the forces of knowledge, even the
forces of emotion or spirit would create undue oppression.
 They can be converted into assets for the state if they are blessed with
the enlightenment of knowledge.
 Plato said once we understand the standards of fitness of different
persons for different functions, we get the clue to the organization of
an ideal state.
 Plato divided individual’s mind/soul into Reason, Spirit and Appetite
similarly divided Society into three classes namely Rulers, Soldiers &
Producers.
 Like the human soul, the justice will be achieved in a state when each
class fulfils their respective functions. Justice is a general virtue, it
means that all parts are fulfilling their special functions.
 The producer is at his best in the economic field, the warrior is at his
best in the battlefield; they are both at their worst in public office.
 Function of governance requires statesmanship which is a science as
well as an art.
 Only a philosopher who has devoted his life to the pursuit of
knowledge with moral character would be fit to become an ideal king;
he will not be tempted by wealth or power but solely motivated by his
duty to govern for the well-being of the state.
 Justice arises when reason governs the soul, and each part fulfills its
proper function.
 Plato prescribes different duties for different classes of citizens whose
fulfilment would be instrumental in building up of a perfect state that is
thoroughly informed by the spirit of justice.
 Justice results from each element in society doing its appropriate task,
doing it well and doing it only.
 In order to achieve perfect harmony of these different elements, which
exemplifies justice, it is imperatives that reason must rule within man as
well as within state.
 So in a just or ideal state, the control of govt shall remain in the hands of
philosopher kings who represent living avatar of Reason, whereas
material production and military defence shall be entrusted to the
producer and warrior classes respectively.
Plato’s Justice is based on 3 principles
1. Functional specialisation
2. Non-interference
3. Harmony: The task of justice is to harmonise the 3 virtues.

 In his scheme of justice, Plato identifies the virtues befitting each social
class. He defines justice as the virtue befitting the state.
 In Plato’s perfect state, each class will develop its befitting virtue, and still
traders and soldiers classes will accept the supremacy of the philosophers
class in order to achieve harmony in the functioning of all parts of the state,
which is a necessary condition of justice.
 The virtue that befits the state is Justice which creates harmony in all the
three social classes and is a necessary condition for human happiness.
 Justice is the equity or fairness that grants each social group its due and
ensures that each does one’s own work.
 In Plato’s view, justice is a blessing. It is not only conducive to happiness, it is
the necessary condition of human happiness.
 Justice is a social consciousness that makes a society internally harmonious
and good.
 Thus, “Justice is the bond which holds a society together,” a harmonious
union of individuals, each of whom has found his lifework in accordance with
his natural fitness and his training.
 CRITICISM
Plato’s theory of justice had faced many criticisms:
• NON-DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN PERSONALITY: In fact state is the
custodian of development of personality of the people living in it. But
Plato’s concept of state is different.
• IT IS TOTALITARIAN: All aspects of life (Art, Speech, Thought, etc.) are
controlled by the State. All the political decisions are made by the
rulers alone. Plato’s state pay no regards to the ordinary citizen and
greatest regard to ruling class.
• AGAINST OPEN SOCIETY: According to Karl Popper, Plato was an enemy
of the open society. He asserts that Plato's ideal state would lead to a
closed system.
• CENSORSHIP AND SUPPRESSION OF ARTISTIC FREEDOM: Plato's advocacy for
censorship and control over the arts in the ideal state has been criticized for
suppressing artistic freedom and limiting the diversity of ideas. Critics argue
that this approach stifles creativity and hinders the development of a vibrant
and dynamic culture.
• IGNORING THE PRODUCING CLASS: It is Ignoring Producing Classes, it is
impossible to create an ideal state by ignoring a particular class. Plato
completely ignores the lower class in his ideal state which forms the great bulk
of population. Such negligence may divide the society into two hostile groups.
• ANTI-HUMAN STATE: It denies that individual autonomy is important for
human happiness & well-being.
• Plato’s concept of communism of wives and property is against human nature
as well as against human sentiments and feelings. It also ignores the essentials
of human nature and psychology. It demanding a great devotion towards
state.
• LACK OF CONSIDERATION FOR DIVERSITY: Plato's ideal state is often
accused of neglecting the diversity of human abilities, interests, and
talents. The strict division of society into rulers, guardians, and
producers oversimplifies the complexity of human nature, and critics
argue that it fails to account for the richness of individual differences.
• UTOPIAN STATE: Plato’s concept of ideal state with class divisions,
philosopher kings, state controlled education, communism of wives and
property etc., neither possible nor practicable in this present time. It is
only ideal rather than real.
• Plato’s justice concept is not applicable in a large populated modern
nation-state. Further it is impracticable to divide these numerous
population into 3 stereo-typed classes and to assign fixed functions.
• Plato’s justice gives absolute ruling power to one class i.e. philosopher
kings but, according to Lord Acton ‘Absolute power corrupts absolutely is
a truism which cannot be denied.
• In his concept of justice, individual is reduced to means and the state
becomes an end in itself.
• Despite all these criticism, Plato's contributions in western political
thought is matchless.
• He has given western political thought a basis, a vision and a
direction. His ideas have also been praised for their intellectual depth
and their enduring influence on political philosophy.
 References
Political Thinkers From Socrates to the Present, Edited by David
Boucher & Paul Kelly, Oxford University Press (South Asian Edition).
Western Political Thought, by Dr. O.P. Gauba, Macmillan Publishers.
A History of Political Thought; Plato to Marx, by Subrata Mukherjee
& Sushila Ramaswamy, PHI Learning Publications.
Modern Indian Political Thought; Text and Context, by Bidyut
Chakrabarty & Rajendra Kumar Pandey, Sage Publications.
Indian Political Thought, by Dr. O.P. Gauba, Mayur Publications.
Reference Books