When the tyrant has disposed of foreign enemies by conquest or treaty, and there is nothing to fear from them, then he is always stirring up some war or other, in order that the people may require a leader.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A tyrant creates external conflicts to justify needing strong leadership and keep the populace dependent.
- In plain terms
- Leaders sometimes start wars to make people feel they need protection.
- What can you take from it?
- Conflict can be manufactured to maintain control.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do people follow strong leaders?
- How can we detect manufactured crises?
Another view
Not all wars are started for this reason.
More from Plato
The people have always some champion whom they set over them and nurse into greatness. ...This and no other is the root from which a tyrant springs; when he fi…
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