One Answer

    First, speaking of Socrates, we must understand that his philosophy has come down to us in Plato's presentation, and Plato himself was an opponent of democracy, his utopia is a totalitarian state, which can be called a meritocracy, the power of the enlightened. The enlightened ones are specially trained in management, and everyone else is not allowed to do it.

    Secondly, when we talk about democracy, we must understand that democracy in Greece was different from modern democracy. There was, for example, a contrast between “normal “”democracy” and ochlocracy, the power of the crowd. Aristotle calls “democracy” polity, and ochlocracy “democracy”.

    If we proceed from the assumption that the later the Platonic text is written, the less there is, in fact, the original Socrates, then, apparently, Socrates did not have a detailed political concept. He believes that those who know how to rule should rule, believes that elections should not be held by drawing lots, believes that skillful management and following the law are more important than a specific way of government. That is, he probably belongs to those who will later be called utilitarians, believes that what works well is good, and, in addition, believes that a random choice of rulers or a tyrant cannot work well. That is, he had claims to “democracy” /polity, but not a categorical denial of this option.

    You can view the analysis with links to specific places in texts, for example, here: http://platoakademeia.ru/index.php/ru/e-library/researches/item/133-ksocr_02_5

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