tyranny midterm

Plato Aristocracy

Virtue: a form of government where philosophers or the wisest individuals rule, considered by Plato to be the ideal system.

Plato Timocracy

Honor: A form of government where honor and military success are valued, and the ruling class consists of those who are spirited and courageous.

Plato Oligarchy

Wealth: A form of government where power is held by a small group of wealthy individuals, prioritizing their interests over the common good.

Plato Democracy

Freedom: A form of government where the power is held by the people. Late stage: factions, chaos, no respect for authority.

Plato Tyranny

Order: A form of government where one individual holds absolute power, often ruling oppressively and without regard for the welfare of the populace.

Plato tyrannical soul

A soul dominated by irrational desires, leading to a life of chaos and moral corruption, often associated with tyranny. Triangle of rational, spirited, and desires. solution is education.

Pericles character and actions in the Peloponnesian war

Good speaker, honorable and respected. Risk adverse military strategy. eventually shifted to complusion, kindled war to distract from domestic problems. put athenians in the city walls, and then plague struck.

Cicero’s theory on why tyranny violates natural law

It undermines the fundamental rights and freedoms inherent to all individuals. He believed that a legitimate government must respect these natural rights, promoting justice and the common good. Cicero said that nature was fundamentally good.

Alcibides character and actions in the Peloponnesian war

Charasmatic, immese desires and bravery. incited more war, wanted to take Sicily and Lybia. Personal desires intertwined with the state. exiles to sparta

Sparta under Lycurgus

Lycurgus is credited with establishing the rigorous laws and customs that shaped Spartan culture, emphasizing discipline, austerity, and communal living. Public land, didn’t write laws.

Simonides argument about how a tyrant should live

To be a better tyrant: orient your power towards the good of the people. Positive incentives > punishments, private possessions made into public wealth. Make the city richer. Consider the fatherland your estate.

Rousseau on Christianity

Since christians are more concerned with moral salvation, they dont have a strong tie to the states. they make bad soldiers. fosters brotherhood between citizens, though.

Factionalism in Machiavelli

Machiavelli believed that factionalism could be both a source of strength and a threat to stability in a state. He argued that well-managed factions could promote civic engagement and prevent tyranny, but unchecked factions could lead to conflict and division.

Factions in Rousseau

Rousseau viewed factions as detrimental to the general will, as they prioritize individual interests over the common good. He believed that factions undermine social cohesion and can lead to tyranny.

Factions in Plato

Democracy to freedom to factions to chaos to tyranny

Factionalism in the French Revolution

The presence of competing factions during the French Revolution led to political instability, as various groups vied for power, ultimately resulting in the rise of authoritarian rule (with Napoleon) and the Reign of Terror.

Robespierre’s defense of Regicide

Robespierre justified regicide as a necessary measure to protect the Republic and its revolutionary ideals. He argued that the execution of the king was essential to prevent tyranny and ensure the survival of democracy. France must start from the ground up, completely from 0.