Extended Essays 2021

storming the capitol, Plato would conclude that Trump’s leadership style is tyrannical and

typical of the demagogue. 17

However, Plato’s argument can be highly disputed by advocates of a democracy system, with

John Locke being prominent. According to the libertarian proponent Locke, people are “by

nature free”, and this was the foundation in which his philosophy on government was based.

Locke would object to the achievement of justice through a class system in order to achieve

congruent justice between the individual and the state (as suggested by Plato) and would

criticise the necessity of a “philosopher king”.

Locke argues for humans “being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in

his life, health, liberty or possessio ns” and notes “men being, as has been said, by nature, all

free, equal and independent, no one can be put out of this estate, and subjected to the political

power of another, without his own consent.” 18 Locke adverts to Plato’s concept of tyranny, and

defi nes it as “the exercise of power beyond right” . 19 For Locke, a leader who is just works for

the people and obliges by the legislative, whereas a tyrant breaks the law and acts accordingly

to his own desires. Furthermore, Locke postulates society should be responsible for the election

of those who will govern, and capable of instating a new government if necessary, contradicting

entirely the hierarchical nature of Plato’s ideal state .

Conseq uently, Locke would criticise Plato’s conclusion on Trump’s leadership style, as the

Trump loyalists did not necessarily breech the libertarian constitution by storming the capitol.

and was bound to the legislative throughout his presidency. However, for America, many

17 Demagogue – A political leader that gains popularity through by appealing to people’s desires and appeals rather than using rational argument. 18 Locke, John, and Peter Laslett. 1988. Two treatises of government . Cambridge [England]: Cambridge University Press. 19 Locke, John, and Peter Laslett. 1988. Two treatises of government . Cambridge [England]: Cambridge University Press.

8