Consequently, Plato takes the role of a political architect and orchestrates, in great detail, an accurately just political system. ... On the other hand, democracy would not be much better, and has been proven, not only by Plato but also in history, to fall short of being a just political structure... (R, p. 106-107) Plato is aware that men have been positioned in a natural hierarchy where their political standing is already predetermined. ... If the good is so full of the wealth of wisdom and knowledge, a philosopher like Plato or Socrates or Aristotle should have been able to implement it...

• Word Count: 1423
• Approx Pages: 6

Aristotle in his Politics, agrees with this decision, and comments that Solon "gave people only the necessary minimum of power" (41). ... In the mid-5th century, Pericles grants the Boule, or the Council of 500, and the Assembly true political power in Athens which placed power in the hands of the people. ... The voter represents himself and is not influenced by constituents, political party, or re-election. ... One of the weaknesses of the Athenian democracy was that it excluded the majority of the actual inhabitants of ancient Athens from any access to political power and influence. ...

• Word Count: 1562
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate