The term "democracy" originally meant people rule or more specifically rule by the people. A democracy is a form of government that stressed universal suffrage, multiparty elections, and majority rule. The term did not contain any unjustified positive connotations. Finally, after an American Revolution and one century after the Progressive Era the distinction between a democracy and a republic is gradually disappearing. During present times the term democracy is now considered a synonym for republic. Is democracy really the best form of government? According to Plato, democracy does not seem ideal and is flawed in numerous accounts. Can this form of government that we have been fighting so hard for be that harmful to us? Socrates was not executed for preaching democracy. He was executed for corrupting the youth of Athens by teaching them to think for themselves by asking questions, called the Socratic Method. Plato considers the extreme alternatives to having a democratic society that isn’t fit for it.
There can be various complications with a pure democratic society. First, Plato argues that people in a democracy will tend to vote themselves only what is pleasing to them. For example, if people did not like wars, they simply will not have them but if a majority of the society was aggressive for any reason they will. As long as the will of the people is present, there is no need for anyone to exercise authority and no one has to submit to it. Plato views democracy is being fairly close to anarchy. The problem is that the masses have control without knowledge. This can get very dangerous for society as a whole. Without knowledge, the masses will make decisions based on their individual desires and wants which can eventually harm the whole population. Another obstacle that democracy presents is that what if someone is inordinately popular. If the majority always wins, wouldn’t that be a major flaw in this system. Plato feels that it is only a matter of time before someone who is very well known and preferred can earn a position in office and manipulate the system to get whatever they want. From here the so called “democracy” is only a few steps away from a dreaded “tyranny”
In a democracy, individuals shape their lives in their own way. According to Plato this means that in a democracy no sense of unity can exist. We have had various accounts in history where the flaws of democracy became detrimental to society. Although people may agree on some things, the kind of unity that you need for a truly efficient and good society, where everybody fulfills the role they are best suited to and which best serves society. This is one of Plato’s biggest gripes. He feels that you should be given a balanced meal – the right work, the right education regardless of what you think yourself. In his ideal society, ruled by the philosopher kings, all individuals join together in a concerted fashion.