Originally posted by WhoopeeDee
lil is right...Marxism is more philosophical rather than political. If Marx had met both Lenin and Stalin he would have thrown up.
that is true of most "ism"s though. Even democracy doesn't work the way it is supposed to on paper.
Originally posted by Shakyamunison
I don't think left or right can apply to anarchy.
true, the left/right compass is extremely limiting, and, imho, is a major propoganda tool of mainstream parties, sort of a way to limit the types of political opposition that exist. Parties have to have predictable positions based on where they fall on such a spectrum.
Anarchy is hard to put on the left/right scale, though, without abandoning it, anarchy can be generalized as the extremes of "people control" (left) or "no state control" (right)
Originally posted by inimalist
Plato was highly undemocratic. The Republic calls for rule by philosopher kings chosen by either heredity or some form of childhood meritocracy, i can't exactly remember...
Weren't those called the guardians or something?
And, yeah, it's basically a caste system that he came up with. Not much of a Utopia. 😐
Originally posted by Symmetric Chaos
I . . . disagree.But seriously my point was that utopia is inherently subjective (unless you're Ayn Rand).
http://www.cyberessays.com/Politics/107.htm
"Plato's utopia consists of three distinct, nonhereditary
class systems (Hacker 32). The Guardians consist of non ruling
Guardians and ruling Guardians. The non-rulers are a higher level of
civil servants and the ruling is the society's policy makers (Hacker
32). Auxilaries are soldiers and minor civil servants (Hacker 32).
Finally the Workers, are composed of farmers and artisans, most
commonly unskilled laborers (Hacker 32). The Guardians are to be wise
and good rulers. It is important that the rulers who emerge must be a
class of craftsmen who are public-spirited in temperament and skilled
in the arts of government areas (Hacker 33). The guardians are to be
placed in a position in which they are absolute rulers. They are
supposed to be the select few who know what is best for society
(Hacker 33)."
So, yeah, I was right. Guardians. Though, they come in two flavors, apparently.
It does say nonhereditary, so I guess that's what you were disagreeing on?
Wow, how did a thread about conservative, male, penis curiosity and possible homoeroticism turn into ta discussion about the foundations of Greek Republicanism and the theoretical establishment of a meritocratic monarchy? Waaaaay too mature up in here.
A receipt for the purchas of unscented, Ph balanced soap or body wash could be the smoking gun to prove he's not a citizen!!!