The threats that Donald Trump has made against the modern American Republican Government have made me wonder how significant those risks are and if there might be alternative forms of government that would be more effective. Among other things, I have realized that the Constitution of the United States is 235 years old, and with all the changes in the world since 1789 the possibility that it could be outdated. This made me wonder about what the great philosophers of the past have said about society and government. Are modern philosophers discussing the effects of technology on civilization and have they considered any alternatives that might incorporate technological advancements? This essay is the first of what I hope will be several essays discussing what I am finding out about past and present thoughts on government.

First, I will start with the first documented Western thoughts on the topic, the thoughts of the ancient Greek Philosophers. Certain city-states in ancient Greece are known for their adoption of Democratic principles and ancient Greek philosophers are known for their early contributions to science and philosophy. Most of what we know of Greek philosophers before Socrates (pre-Socratic or early Greek philosophy) is largely associated with the nature of the physical world (physics, math and the nature of being). These sorts of things are not relevant to government, so I will move along to Socratic philosophy which includes among other things, discussion of society and government.

Socrates did not leave any writings, but his student, Plato did. In Plato’s writings, Socrates is often an important character and it is hard to differentiate Plato’s ideas from Socrates. As Plato was Socarate’s student, it is likely they shared many ideas. Plato’s book, “The Republic” describes what he thought might constitute an ideal state. A philosopher king leads this state. The philosopher king is highly educated, experienced in administration and only seeks the truth. The philosopher king does not want to rule but does so only out of a sense of duty. This person is not part of the mercantile class, so it not motivated to profit from his position of authority.

Socrates was so critical of the Democratic government of Athens that he was eventually executed for corrupting the minds of the youth of Athens and impiety (worshipping false gods). So my research has revealed that the most famous ancient Greek democracy, that of Athens, was heavily criticized by the greatest thinkers of the day, who proposed an alternative government, led by highly educated philosopher kings.

Next blog post, I’ll explore some of the history of Athens, which may reveal why Socrates and Plato were so critical of their government.