Introduction to Politics and

Government
PA-1102
Content

• Plato: The Republic

• Aristotle: State & Government, Formation
of Government,
• Machiavelli: The Prince
Lesson Outcome
At the end of the session, learners will be able to-
• Understand political view of Plato from The Republic
• Explain nature of the government explained by
Aristotle
• Analyze modern view of justice and government of
Machiavelli.
• Capture essence from the view of these scholar for
our country’s political development.
Learning Strategy
• Lecture
• Discussion
• Q/A
• Self study
Plato: The Republic
Main Theme
• Theory of Ideal State
• Justice
• Communism
• Scheme of Education
A. Ideal State
• Rule of Philosopher king
• Equality of men and women
• State controlled education system
• Functional Specialization
• Communism of wives and Property
• Control of art and literature
Criticism: Discussion
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B. Justice
• There is a kind of moral principles for the
individual and the state.
• It is said that none should interfere in the affairs
of others.
• Each person should mind only his own job. So,
there should be functional specialization in the
state.
Cont..

• Types of Justice:
A.Morally Justice
B.Functional Justice
Criticism: Discussion
• Opposite to Modern justice which is based on Law
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C: Communism

Main features:
• No private property of Ruler and warrior
• Monogamous Sexual Relationship
Criticism: Discussion
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D: Education
• Main focus of the Republic is “ Virtue of Knowledge”
Features of the Education System:
• It is compulsory, state-regulated and meant for both the
sexes.
• It ensures mental and physical development.
• It improves morality through strict censorship.
• It is an ideal and philosophical plan.
• It lays stress on a course of dialectics.
Cont..
• Types of the education system:
A: Basic Education
B: Higher Education

• Theme of education system:

A: Gymnastic
B: Music
Cont..
• Content of the education:
A: Age 1-12 : Physical Exercise, Songs, poems and literature
B: Till 20 : War skills
C: Age 20-35: Arithmetic, Algebra, Logics etc.
D: Age 35 : Completion of education

After that, he or she will be promoted to responsible position. There

will be learning for 15 years. This learning will be practical and realistic.
Criticism
• State Controlled Education System
• No democratic way in the education system
• limited emphasize on technical and vocational
education
• Expensive
Aristotle: State & Government,
Formation of Government
Main Theme
• State was not built through agreement
• State was formed for the social need of human being
• State is a human organization
• Man is by nature a social and political animal who
does not live in society is either beast or a God.
• Family is the source of politics
• Framework: Family-Village-Community-State
State & Government
• Aristotle made differences between state and govt.
According to him-
“ The government is only an instrument
of the State. The Government and the
people in govt. can be changed easily.”
Formation of Government
• According to Aristotle-
A govt. can be formed on the basis of birth, wealth and
number.
• There are 3 kinds of government.
A. Monarchy: Rule by One
B. Aristocracy: Rule of few
C. Polity: Rule by many
Cont..
• These are perverted forms of these three forms of govt.
A: Tyranny
B: Oligarchy
C: Democracy
In Polity, rule of the majority got priority. Democracy is like
Polity. But, grassroots got only priority in democracy to hold
the power
Characteristics of the Best State

• The State should be Stable It means that

the Constitution is balanced.
• The State should be moderate. It means
that provision of the constitution should not
be too harsh and too soft.
Determinants of Stability
• Population:
- Limited Population; not more than 1 lac. Ten thousand is moderate.
• Size and Location:
- Comfort living within a territory, state to be nearest of the shore.
• Character of people
• Different classes in the state
• Education
- State controlled education, Equal opportunity for education &
education for ideal citizens
Lessons: Politics of Bangladesh

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Machiavelli: The Prince
Cont..

• He was called the first modern political

thinker
• Main Philosophy: How to run the state and
government in a proper way.
• The Book: The Prince
Main Focus:
• Emphasize on Two Approaches: Observational and
Historical
• Emphasize on Ruler rather than Rule.
• To understand ruler, human nature should be studied.
• Man by nature is selfish, anarchic, aggressive,
ungrateful, fickle, deceitful, avaricious, cowardly and
greedy.
• Ruler/ Prince is above these negative virtues.
Major Contribution
• Nationalism: Unity of the State
• Secularism : Segregation of Religion and
Politics( Church vs Prince Conflict)
• Foundation of the State: Territory
• Public and Private property: Private property holders
do not do anything that can affect human being
Cont..
• Negating neutral law: Law should be for the
beneficiary of the people
• Sovereignty : Ruler is the final decision maker
• Historical method
• Phycological method
• A concept of nation state: Identity of the state
through Nation State
Lessons: Politics of Bangladesh
Reading Question
• Comparison between Plato’s justice and modern
justice system.
• Applicability of Machiavelli’s features of Ideal
State in the context of Bangladesh.
• Analyze Political Stability of Bangladesh
according to the features of Stability in a country
by Aristotle
Reference
Reading Articles:
• Protevi, J., Notes on Plato’s Republic,
Department of French Studies, Louisiana State
University.
Q/A
THANKS