Ancient and Medieval Political Theory

 

In the Republic, the three main classes are the guardian’s auxiliaries and the producers. The guardians include a class in the society that has the obligation of regulating the city. They are selected among the levels of auxiliaries and are also referred to as the kings of philosophy (Runciman 2010). They include those that are ready to devote their lives to do what they perceive to be on the interest of the society and those who will not act against it. They are kept under a close look to ensure that they do not sway from this principle no matter the circumstances.

The producers are the largest class in society and are a group that includes all the professions. Producers’ consist of framers, craftsmen, doctors, lawyers, among other people from different professions (Runciman 2010). In a just society, producers do not have a share in the ruling and they have to obey what the ruler’s verdict. Their focus is on producing whatever their profession entails and whatever they are best suited to produce.

The auxiliaries are the warriors who are responsible for defending the state from intruders. They also have a responsibility to keep peace at home (Runciman 2010). The auxiliaries enforce e the convictions of the guardians and make sure that the producers to the rules. Auxiliaries perform their duties under the orders of the rulers and help to implement their ideas. The guardians and the auxiliaries are expected to live a simple life with no private property or family life.

I think this arrangement is unjust because every person despite their profession should be allowed the opportunity to take part in the rulemaking decisions. Every individual should have a right to choose their profession and use their income whichever way they want as long as they perform their duties. Concerning family, I think every person is entitled to their own decision about having or not having a family, therefore it is unjust for any rule to deny their rights of freedom of whatever they wish to have.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Runciman, W. G. (2010). Great Books, Bad Arguments: Republic, Leviathan, and The

Communist Manifesto. Princeton University Press.