HEY, WE'RE NOT NAZIS ANYMORE...

Avoiding Plato's Republic in America: Anarchy is the Only Hope (JOHN STANTON, July 23, 2003, Counter Punch)

The philosopher Plato was right when he opined that democracy ultimately leads to anarchy and then tyranny. But he was wrong to dismiss anarchy which, arguably, is the happy medium between failed democracy and treacherous tyranny. The USA has begun its flirtation with anarchy. But anarchy, like democracy, is anathema to the ruling classes and can't be tolerated for any length of time. As a result, the ruling classes will create a crisis and will attempt to implement a society as described in Plato's Republic--an alternative to representative government. The USA will transition from anarchy to a Platonic tyranny sometime during the second term (2004-2008) of George Bush II.

That is, unless anarchy takes hold.

Anarchy would be a positive development for the USA and the world. In time it would erode the power of the public and private national institutions that are the oppressive tools of control for the wealthy and those who exercise political and military power. But the opponents of change have read their Plato too. And they know that Plato's answer to democracy, anarchy and tyranny was to design a Republic that would solidify the position of the ruling classes. Plato's Republic provides for a system which, among other things, depends on proper breeding and training of the ruling and ruled classes, placating the military leaders, and authoritarian and paternal control of the masses.

In Plato's Republic, leaders commune with the gods and find meaning in nature's movements that are invisible to the vast backwash of humanity. When the rulers speak, the ruled listen and obey without hesitation. All know their place in Plato's society. The USA is ripe for such a system and those who rule know it.

If only... Posted by Orrin Judd at August 4, 2003 9:18 PM