INTRODUCTION FOR PLATO AND TOTALITARIANISM

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The modern term "totalitarianism" was invented by Benito Mussolini but the philosophy of authoritarian rule is thousands of years old. In the ancient world, in both the East and the West, authoritarian rule, via the rule of emperors, pharaohs and kings, evolved into highly elaborate systems of philosophy, from Plato's views in the "Republic", to the ideas of Lord Shang in ancient China, to the highly detailed plans described by Kautilya in ancient India. 

There are about 5,000 years of recorded history starting with the creation of the Egyptian Old Kingdom in 3000 CE.  For almost all those 5,000 years, rule by a strong centralized leader has been the norm. 

Democracy on the other hand is very new, and has only had a very brief appearance in ancient history. It lasted a short period in Athens, and the Republic in Rome devolved into endless Civil War. Plato himself disapproved of democracy and advocated for something more similar to the authoritarian warrior state of Sparta. Also, the 'Republic' was clearly not a title that he picked out for his works, considering that the word is based on Latin ('Res' 'Publica') — not Greek.

Modern people today living in democracies need to study Plato's works because it is important to understand the forces that could threaten and supercede democracy in the event of a crisis. In order to understand the future, we must understand the past.

PAGES TO LINK TO

World Future Outlook   Ancient Roots of Fascist Thought   Aristotle and Totalitarianism   China and Totalitarianism    India and Totalitarianism