Blog 3 - Rulers and Democracy

 'It is just like the case of a man who learns by heart the angers and desires of a great, strong beast he is rearing, how it should be approached and how taken hold of, when - and as a result of what - it becomes most difficult or most gentle, and, particularly, under what conditions it is assumed to utter its several sounds, and, in turn, what sort of sounds uttered by another make it tame and angry' (The Republic p.172-3)

Overall, the passage depicts for me a sort of relationship between leader and people that is quite toxic. First, we have a leader that is described as a person who tames the public: who knows the good and nasty things people can think or do and who acts appropriately to such desires. In that way, one can say that the character of a leader is also a reflection of the character of its people. This a dangerous assumption because on many occasions the people do not have the last word and instead of looking for a perfect reflection of their desires on a leader, the people certainly need a beacon of light. 

In a modern democracy, it is true that a leader speaks for their people but unfortunately, if the people are wrong, the leader should in theory speak for the benefit of their people. I think that what Socrates was talking about is the 'mob mentality' in which certain inadequate leaders rise to the top because they are reciprocal of the desires of their people no matter who wrong they are. 

When I read the passage I imagine the people as this large mass that changes opinion constantly and that could either produce great things or be completely radical towards the status quo. It is scary to think that leaders would mimic the desires of the people for the purpose of gaining popularity (just like Donald Trump did) while at the same time jeopardizing those institutions that elected them in the first place.

I think that seeing how Socrates perceived this relationship between leader and people is fascinating. When we watch a debate we observe how people in the audience clap and make noises to certain statements indicated by the politician of their choice and how the politician reacts and continues to inflate the conversation by seeking approval. 

I personally think that politicians should not embody and reciprocate so much with their people. In some European societies, leaders are seen as public servants and they do not fall for the tricks of populism. For me, bringing up passionate desires in the public over one candidate or another has negative consequences because usually extreme views are more attractive to the public.