Plato and the Idea of Political Office - Melissa Lane

[@axeldekimpe]

Great lecture, well balanced and thoughtfully presented. It is saying something that those best suited to lead, don't want to. And hence we end up with the flotsam. Humility, that core sentiment, harbinger of success in civil society, absent in almost every current politician. If we were to weigh our politicians now, we can only find them severely lacking. Any advice on the way forward ?

[@sidbarik]

No one is accountable: One needs to take responsibility/ accountability for their actions/ choices, if they are asked by another to look into their actions/ choices, then it is a chain link, and it goes on and on. As it becomes a game of blame/ blame games. e.g. We go to the police if there is injustice, but what if the injustice is done by the police, who do we go to. - Who watches the watchmen. If you are not willing to rule, you shall be ruled over by... paper work.

[@GlassEyedDetectives]

thanks for an interesting lecture.....i'd ike to hear the word 'Responsibility' in place of 'Power' as Power and Service are opposite stances.

[@polanve]

I think the premise of the purpose of political office is a bit naive. Most often I think it's expected to maintain dominance of the powerful and passivity of the oppressed.

[@andreacvecic]

Wasn't that Marx?-)

[@melJenkins-z6p]

I am currently reading Charles A. Beard’s 1943 book “The Republic: Conversations on Fundamentals”. So, I am reminded how well founded were many of the “Constitutionalists” here in the US and elsewhere and how widely and seriously they worked. Also, Mr. Beard points out the apparent concerns over use of the terms “republic” and “democracy” in the 18th century and later.