And that is the FIFTH stage – “TYRANNY.”
The TYRANT is a LOVER OF POWER.
Plato described how when the city-state descends into chaos, a mayor or governor will come along who demands emergency powers to fix the situation, and in the process, will usurp power and become a tyrant.
He wrote:
“Last of all comes … the tyrant …
In the early days of his power, he is full of smiles, and he salutes every one whom he meets …
making promises in public and also in private, liberating debtors, and distributing land to the people and his followers,
and wanting to be so kind and good to every one …
This … is the root from which a tyrant springs; when he first appears above ground he is a protector …
Hinting at the abolition of debts and partition of lands … he … begins to make a party against the rich … that they may be impoverished by payment of taxes, and thus compelled to devote themselves to their daily wants and therefore less likely to conspire against him? …”
“… And when a man who is wealthy and is also accused of being an enemy of the people sees … he flees … and is not ashamed to be a coward.” |