From Timocracy to Tyranny: Plato's Critique of Democracy

In Books 8 and 9 of the Republic, Plato describes how the ideal city would decline through a series of worse constitutions, each matched by a type of person. First comes timocracy, rule by lovers of honor, somewhat like Sparta. Then oligarchy, rule by the wealthy, where greed divides rich and poor. The poor eventually overthrow the rich and create democracy, which Plato portrays as colorful and free but undisciplined, treating all desires as equal and choosing leaders by popularity rather than knowledge.

In his 'ship of state' image, the sailors fight over the wheel and ignore the true navigator. Democracy's excessive freedom, he argues, eventually produces a demagogue who becomes a tyrant, the worst ruler and the unhappiest person. Plato's account reflects Athens' experience and Socrates' execution. Defenders of democracy reply that Plato underestimated ordinary citizens and that no ruler can be trusted with unchecked power.