or should it be widely dispersed among the members of a society? Many

great Philosophers ranging from Plato to Marx have pondered this question

over time. Historically many major civilizations were based on systems of

organization stressing centralized power and control. The attempt was to

create and ensure a stable and orderly way of life but as society evolved the

defenders of concentrated power felt compelled to justify the need for

centralized authority. This attempt at justification can be found in Plato's

famous work The Republic. According to Socrates, the principal speaker in

The Republic, an ideal state would consist of three classes. The philosopher-

kings would exercise political power in the service of justice and wisdom; the

soldiers would protect the state as a means of acquiring honor; and the

civilian population would provide for the material needs of society. A large

part of The Republic is devoted to a detailed presentation of the rigorous

intellectual training of future rulers. This section also contains a fundamental

the separate existence of its members.

state, which completely supervises their lives. The state gives meaning and

Some common words found in the essay are:
Philosophyp401 Rousseau's, According Socrates, More's Utopia, English Philosopher, Communism Communism, Plato Marx, Humanism Marx's, Social Contract, Plato Rousseau, Abelp414 Hobbes's, concentrated power, political power, politician people, concentrated political power, concentrated political, defenders concentrated power, owned community, social contract, species species, true politician, defenders concentrated, sovereign power, true politician people,
Approximate Word count = 1329
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)