Socrates analyzing tyranny together with Adeimantus in Plato's Republic, 566d-567a:
'''In the early days and weeks’, I said, ‘he has a smile and a friendly greeting for anyone he meets. He denies he’s a tyrant; he makes lots of promises, privately and in public, annuls debts, distributes land to the people and to his own associates, and pretends to be gracious and gentle to everyone. Right?’
‘Inevitably.'
‘But when he’s neutralized his enemies in exile, coming to terms with some and destroying others, I imagine the first thing you’ll notice about him is that he’s always stirring up some war or other, to make sure the people need a leader.’
‘Very likely so.’
‘And also to impoverish them, through having them contribute to the war-effort, so that they’re forced to concentrate on their daily needs and are that much less likely to plot against him.’"
How to make sure the people need a leader
How to make sure the people need a leader
How to make sure the people need a leader
Socrates analyzing tyranny together with Adeimantus in Plato's Republic, 566d-567a:
'''In the early days and weeks’, I said, ‘he has a smile and a friendly greeting for anyone he meets. He denies he’s a tyrant; he makes lots of promises, privately and in public, annuls debts, distributes land to the people and to his own associates, and pretends to be gracious and gentle to everyone. Right?’
‘Inevitably.'
‘But when he’s neutralized his enemies in exile, coming to terms with some and destroying others, I imagine the first thing you’ll notice about him is that he’s always stirring up some war or other, to make sure the people need a leader.’
‘Very likely so.’
‘And also to impoverish them, through having them contribute to the war-effort, so that they’re forced to concentrate on their daily needs and are that much less likely to plot against him.’"