POLITICS 109 Study Guide - Condottieri, Body Politic, The Negation

• School: University of Auckland
• Department: Politics and International Relations
• Course: POLITICS 109
• Professor: Dr.Smits, Professor Morrow,andotherguestlecturers

Document Summary

Not a democrat but challenges key political ideas of greek society in his time. Mocked idea that democracy meant people had complete freedom. Argued that it just meant they were slaves to their passions and whims true freedom = being free of those passions/whims/desires and thus able to make the best decisions for one"s self. Classical greek athens small face-to-face" society culture of a common life". No split between this public sphere and social life religion, sport and culture were all part of the common life of the city. Only a small portion of the actual population were citizens participating in politics, even in democratic. Women had no political or civic rights slaves, non-citizens had no political rights. Plato"s argument that they be guardians was so controversial. Citizens met regularly in the agora as the governing assembly. Politics as a positive activity essential to leading a good life and to virtue.