factions by plato and madison
Plato believed that the chief cause of factions is the difference in property owners. Recall that he said: "In each city there exists two cities; the city of the rich and the city of the poor - eternally at war."
Madison was similar in his belief though, he believed the primary cause of factions is the unequal distribution of property.
They each had their own set of solutions. Madison understands that factions cannot be eliminated (recall Federalist 10) where he provided the two methods in which they can be removed. First, one would have to destroy liberty - which is counter to a democratic society (and would not work). Second, he suggested that the only other way to destroy factions within a society was to provide each person with the same set of opinions, ideals, and beliefs. Again, counter to a free society.
Therefore the only way to redress factions is to control their effects. There are two ways he suggested to accomplish this. First, decentralize power at the national and state levels; spread the power out. Second, spread the middle class out (by encouraging land ownership) and encourage property ownership.
Plato had a different view. He thought factions should be eliminated. This could be accomplished by doing away with the current ruling class and using his theories cited in Plato's Communism.
Recall there are two main points to it: First, the society would be divided up into three classes: The Philosopher Kings (rulers), the Guardians (protectors), and the Merchants (middle class). The ruling class would no claim to private property. Also, they would live in barrack style accommodations and eat with other rulers at a common table.
The second point to Plato's idea is that marriage for the ruling class would be abolished as it is a distraction to governmental duties, according to Plato; an end to monogamous sexual relations for the ruling class. This would be replaced with selected breeding chosen by the ruling class in an attempt to
Madison was similar in his belief though, he believed the primary cause of factions is the unequal distribution of property.
They each had their own set of solutions. Madison understands that factions cannot be eliminated (recall Federalist 10) where he provided the two methods in which they can be removed. First, one would have to destroy liberty - which is counter to a democratic society (and would not work). Second, he suggested that the only other way to destroy factions within a society was to provide each person with the same set of opinions, ideals, and beliefs. Again, counter to a free society.
Therefore the only way to redress factions is to control their effects. There are two ways he suggested to accomplish this. First, decentralize power at the national and state levels; spread the power out. Second, spread the middle class out (by encouraging land ownership) and encourage property ownership.
Plato had a different view. He thought factions should be eliminated. This could be accomplished by doing away with the current ruling class and using his theories cited in Plato's Communism.
Recall there are two main points to it: First, the society would be divided up into three classes: The Philosopher Kings (rulers), the Guardians (protectors), and the Merchants (middle class). The ruling class would no claim to private property. Also, they would live in barrack style accommodations and eat with other rulers at a common table.
The second point to Plato's idea is that marriage for the ruling class would be abolished as it is a distraction to governmental duties, according to Plato; an end to monogamous sexual relations for the ruling class. This would be replaced with selected breeding chosen by the ruling class in an attempt to