If we believe in the power of free elections then we must heed what Plato, the Greek Philosopher (c. 428-348 BCE) intimated many centuries ago: “This City is what it is because our citizens are what they are.”
Even though Plato’s words ring true today, one must reflect on the past and ponder whether “free elections” ever lived-up to its meaning and/or promise!
Fast forward from the days of Plato to the Roman Philosopher Cicero (106-43 BCE) who, in addition to being a philosopher, was a, lawyer, orator and politician. Cicero had a seemingly different view from the one held by Plato about citizens, when he professed: “Nothing is more unreliable than the populace, nothing more obscure than human intentions, nothing more deceptive than the whole electoral system.”
In actuality, the two great philosophers were not in conflict in their thoughts, they only reflected upon what they observed in their respective eras. Needless to say, they were prophetic in their thoughts too.
One thing we can say, apart from the passing of time, nothing much has changed!
Hani Badawi
Sptember 1, 2016
Even though Plato’s words ring true today, one must reflect on the past and ponder whether “free elections” ever lived-up to its meaning and/or promise!
Fast forward from the days of Plato to the Roman Philosopher Cicero (106-43 BCE) who, in addition to being a philosopher, was a, lawyer, orator and politician. Cicero had a seemingly different view from the one held by Plato about citizens, when he professed: “Nothing is more unreliable than the populace, nothing more obscure than human intentions, nothing more deceptive than the whole electoral system.”
In actuality, the two great philosophers were not in conflict in their thoughts, they only reflected upon what they observed in their respective eras. Needless to say, they were prophetic in their thoughts too.
One thing we can say, apart from the passing of time, nothing much has changed!
Hani Badawi
Sptember 1, 2016
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