Plato’s ideal state and the best form of government

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Plato’s ideal state, Plato describe it as a just state based on justice which is the earthly manifestation of the human soul.
He identify two basic principles as the mutual needs of the individual that make up the state

Secondly, The various talent of its members.
Plato posited the view that to establish or govern a state is a labour to which the human hero shows himself most like a god.

Plato further identify three major social classes in an ideal state as the rulers, soldiers and the producer or workers which corresponds to the souls three operative elements and correspond respectively to the Nous, Thumos and Soma.

• The NOUS or Reason- This is the philosopher kings or Rulers who with their aptitude of wisdom govern and legislate for the state. They are lovers of wisdom, Truth and Knowledge. This category of people according to him should neither marry nor own properties

• The Thumos- It refers to the soldiers or auxiliaries and guardians of the rulers. They are primarily concerned with the defence of the state. This class of people must be sustained by courage and fortitude to keep order and control of workers. They must be subject to the philosopher Kings and must possess neither property nor wealth

• The Soma- It refers to the producers, which means the workers in the society. Members of this class are satisfied and guided by the desire of satisfaction of senses and it is their desire and temperance provide the state with material subsistence. They are subject to the Nous and Thumos and have no significant political responsibilities. Members of this class can get Married and own Properties.

Plato extol Aristocracy as the best form of government where only the best rule for general interest.
To this form of government he describe others as inferior. He subsequently identify and describe others form of government as degeneration from the ideal state.

He sees Oligarchy as the rule of the few as been narrow and selfish.
Under oligarchy for instance, it is wealth or property qualification that count and political power is in the hand of the rich and the poor have no share in it.

Plato further classify Democracy as a deviation from the ideal state.

The conceals of Democracy as the origination of conflict of the minority rich and the majority poor where the power emerge victorious. He describe such society where there is equality and political opportunity and freedom for every individual to do as he likes as lacking high principles and ideal as where law and order is relegated to the background.

The last degeneration from the ideal state according to him is TYRANNY.

This society is characterized by oppressive government either by absolute rulers or group of rulers who administer cruelty and without regards to the law.

In a Nutshell, Plato’s ideal state is a state based on Reason and controlled by Philosopher Kings. It pursue the attainment of the best object of the state. He posited that the philosopher kings must emerge through a rigorous process of education which involves both theoretical and practical orientation, and that this education will continue until they are 50years.
It’s expected by the curriculum that cut across Mathematics, Physical education, Politics, Psychology and philosophy. Only the successful person will be able to govern the society.

It is on this Knowledge that Plato is classified as an Idealist or Utopia political Philosopher

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