Module 03 Course Project - Outline and Annotated Bibliography

Running head: Announce Topic 1

Announce Topic

Name: Rodney Wheeler

Institution: Rasmussen College

Course: G440/POT4001 Section 02 Political Thought

Date: 02/25/18

Commented [HK1]: Please review http://guides.rasmussen.edu/apa for cover page formatting.

Running head: Announce Topic 2

Abstract

It is widely known that man is a sociopolitical animal. It is in this view that issues of who

should govern have dominated the human race since time immemorial. This paper seeks to

analyze the ideas of the two philosophers-Plato and Karl max on who should really govern the

society. Plato is widely regarded as the father of modern education system since most European

universities took after his Academy. His views on social classes are still evident today and his

arguments are widely used by people of all cadres to date. Karl Marx, on the other hand, is

regarded by some as the father of social sciences and his economic insights form a solid platform

on which the society trades today. These two philosophers, however, present completely

conflicting ideas on who should really be the head of a society and this paper seeks to sit on the

edge, look at the two, examine the practicality of both and their application in the modern world.

Commented [HK2]: Please review http://guides.rasmussen.edu/apa for top margin spacing.

Commented [HK3]: Why? How do we know that? Support assertion.

Commented [HK4]: 1.Sentence grammar 2.Avoid rhetorical statements without any articular factual meaning. Formal writing requires research based statements.

Deleted: widely regarded

Commented [HK5]: Who is he?

Commented [HK6]: Grammar, revise.

Commented [HK7]: Do not make claims. Support assertions and verify they are facts.

Commented [HK8]: Why? Support assertions.

Commented [HK9]: Who said that? Support assertion. That is not true.

Commented [HK10]: This assignment is not an essay in rhetoric but a researched based formal paper, avoid embellishments that cannot be supported.

Running head: Announce Topic 3

Comparison Between Plato and Karl Marx on Who Should Govern.

Karl Marx has a loathing attitude towards the ruling class. He believes that they

formulate the laws and standards of the society for their own gain, (Marx, 1970). This is a direct

challenge to the common notion that values within a society are independent of economic or

political interference. He argues that while the normal citizens are busy doing the day to day

chores, a few elite class are busy formulating and developing ideas that are later reinforced as

meant for common good to all concerned. He believes that these ideas by the ruling few serve

only the interests of the elite few. For this reason, Marx supports a system of government where

everyone rules. Marx finds this way of leadership lacking and instead argues that it is the

economic production that really shapes the prevailing ideas and gives meaning to the

government. He, therefore, emphasizes the importance of considering popular culture in

government, essentially inclining towards a democratic system.

Sharply contrasting Karl’s view on who should rule society are Plato’s arguments. Plato

was born and raised in an elite political family and many people expected him to take a political

position in the then government. However, this did not take place. His arguments are largely

thought to have been influenced by Solon, a ruler that existed more than one hundred and fifty

years before he was born. At the time of his growing up, there was anarchy caused by what he

viewed as excessive freedom brought by democracy. It is therefore only reasonable that he

advocates for a system whereby the society is ruled by a chosen elite whom he refers to as

philosopher-rulers. These are people who according to him, have extensive knowledge about the

‘city’ and are in the best position to make important decisions such as declaring war. He

proposes that these elites should not be allowed to own property as it corrupts morals. By this,

Running head: Announce Topic 4

Plato is also advocating for social stratification whereby there exists a ruling class, made of

philosopher-rulers that have leisure and respect, the guardian class that guards the city and the

producers that provide goods for the city, enjoying wealth, family life but no honor or privilege

to rule. He suggests that these three social classes still remain friends.

The aforementioned views by the two philosophers have their limits. Marx aim was to

create a system of equality for all where the society worked out as a common unit. This did not

work then and even in today’s world, remains a utopic dream. Marx also presents the normal

citizens as passively approving of the ruling ideas which are not a true reflection of the society as

people actively agree or reject government proposals in popular culture. His ideas also fail to

acknowledge the existence of alternative ideas that are present in most societies. Plato’s views

are viewed as totalitarian largely because of restricting ownership to private property and family

life to the philosopher-rulers. There also lies a danger by individuals regarding themselves to be

in the best capacity to govern whereas they got little to offer. These individuals risk isolation

from political realities. The philosophers who you find in the philosophy departments today

aren’t what Plato intended. His definition was rather ideal where the philosopher-rulers were

chosen from the brightest and most courageous children and then underwent extensive training

and learning to later emerge as the most highly educated and capable leaders. This is not

practical today.

Most of the political systems in the world today borrow from both Platonic and Marxist

arguments. The ruling class made up of specific political parties that take turns to govern is still

present in the world today. This was Plato’s idea. However, this political class has been accused

many times of making rules and decisions that only favor the elite few hence validating Marx

ideas. The society today is rather stratified into the ruling class, the middle class and the poor.

Running head: Announce Topic 5

This is akin to Plato’s philosopher-rulers, guardians and producer classes. Most of the political

systems in the world today also exercise a form of restricted democracy. This is manifested

through rights and privileges to citizens while the government still has the power to cut off those

rights at any time. The political systems have been unable to adopt the Platonic idea of a ruling

class that does not own property or enjoy family life and instead the political ruling class today

are some of the richest people on earth. Corruptions and self-gratification have replaced Platonic

aim of a ruling class that serves justice to all concerned. As time goes by, people are largely

voting for the political leaders based on their ability to transform the economy. The manifestos of

presidential candidates are riddled with strategic economic plans and the most impressive ones

win. This is a confirmation of Karl’s idea that the economy is the main basis of a society. It is

therefore clear that the modern political system in most parts of the world is a sandwich of

Marxist and Platonic ideas.

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References

1. Karpowicz, K. Plato: Political Philosophy. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved

from https://www.iep.utm.edu/platopol/

2. Kershaw, T (2012, August 21). The religion and political views of Karl Marx. The

Hollowverse. Retrieved from https://hollowverse.com/karl-marx/

3. Zaykova, A. (2014, June 19).” Ruling class and ruling ideas by Karl Marx and Fredrick

Engels-A summary. Midnight Media Musings. Retrieved from

https://midnightmediamusings.wordpress.com/2014/06/19/ruling-class-and-ruling-ideas-by-karl-

marx-and-frederick-engels-a-summary/

4. Marx K. and Engels F. (1970). Ruling class and ruling ideas. Cultural theory and popular

culture: A Reader.4th ed. Essex: Pearson, 2009.

5. Matassa, Giulia (2013, April 17). Plato’s Argument for Rule by Philosopher Kings. E-

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS STUDENTS. Accessed from www.e-ir.info/2013/04/17/should-

philosophers-rule/

6. Jowett, Benjamin (1892). [The Dialogues of Plato Translated into English with analyses and

introductions by B. Jowett.], Oxford Clarendon Press, Uk, UIN: BLL01002931898