An assessment of Plato’s Political Philosophy

Plato's political philosophy, which emerges from his writings, has its special importance in the
history of western political theory. Plato was the first systematic political theorist and a study of the
western philosophy of tradition begins with his masterpiece, the Republic, Jowet rightly describes
Plato as father of philosophy, politics and literary idealism.
Plato's contribution to the western political thought is without any parallel. He was given it a
direction, a basis and a vision. Political idealism is Plato's gift to western political philosophy. He
innovated novel ideas and integrated them skillfully in a political scheme. His radicalism lies in the
fact that his rulers are rulers without comforts and luxuries possessed by men of property. Plato's
attempt in the Republic is to portray a perfect model of an ideal order. Plato was the first to allow
women to become rulers and legislators. His scheme of collective households, temporary
marriages and common childcare were accepted as necessary condition for the emancipation of
women by the socialist of the 18th and 19th centuries. The whole bent of Plato's Political thought
was the welfare and development of the community.

Aristotle (384 -322 BC)
In the history of political philosophy no one has surpassed Aristotle in encyclopedic interest
and accomplishment. He is regarded as the father of political science as he was the first to analyse,
critically and systematically the then existing constitutions and classify them. His classification of
constitutions is still used in understanding constitutions comparatively. He regarded political science
as the master science, for it studied human beings in a political society implying that a human being
can lead a meaningful life only as a member of a state.

Unlike Plato, Aristotle was not an Athenian by birth. He was born in Stagira, then a small Greek
colony close to the borders of the Macedonian Kingdome. He was a disciple of Plato and
subsequently taught Alexander and then established his own school, the Lyceum. Aristotle’s
relationship of Plato was similar to J.S.Mills’ relationship with Jeremy Bentham as both Aristotle and
J S Mill repudiated major portions of the teachings of their master- Plato and Bentham respectively.
The difference between Plato and Aristotle is the difference between philosophy and science. Plato
was the father of political philosophy, Aristotle, the father of political science, the former is a
philosopher the later is a scientist, former follows deductive methodology, the latter, an inductive
one.

Although not an Athenian, Aristotle lived in Athens for more than half of his life, first as a student at
Plato’s Academy for nearly twenty years and later as the master of his own institution, the Lyceum,
for about 12 years. From 335 BC till his death (322 BC) he devoted himself to research, teaching
and administrative duties in Lyceum. Lyceum was a public leisure centre, where Aristotle lectured to
his chosen students in the mornings and to the general public in the evenings.Aristotle is said to have written about 150 philosophic treaties. His works can be classified under
three heading:

1. Dialogues and other works of a popular character;
2. Collection of facts and materials from scientific treatment,
3. Systematic works. Among his writings of a popular nature. On the polity of the Athenians is
the interesting one. The works on the second group include 200 titles, most in fragments. The
systematic treatises of the third, group are marked by a plainness of style. Aristotle’s political
theory is found mainly in the politics although there are references of his political thought in the
Nichomachean Ethics. In the words of Prof. William Ebenstiein, the “politics lacks the fire and
poetic imagery of the Republic, but it is more systematic and analytical and after twenty three
hundred years it is still an introductory text book to the entire fields of political science.’ In his
writings Aristotle showed much regard for popular opinions and current practices, for he was
essentially a realist philosopher. His works are really on justification of existing institutions like
family, state and slavery or is calculated to suggest remedies for the ills of the body politics of the
city states.