Comments
OP|ED - In an age of rising authoritarianism, democratic backsliding, and geopolitical uncertainty, the wisdom of the ancient Greeks—especially Aristotle—offers both a warning and a way forward. Autocracy is not a relic of a distant past but a recurring force, adept at reinventing itself for new eras. Yet, the Greek tradition, with its emphasis on virtue, reason, questioning assumptions, and the common good, remains a vital shield against the dangers of unchecked power.
Autocracy, in various forms, has been the default mode of governance for much of human history. From the pharaohs of Egypt and the emperors of China to the monarchs and strongmen of the modern era, concentrated power has often delivered stability, rapid decision-making, and, at times, impressive feats of statecraft or economic growth. Authoritarian regimes can mobilize resources, maintain order, and even foster periods of prosperity—yet always at the cost of suppressed freedoms, innovation, and human dignity.
Today’s autocrats have refined their tactics. They use populism, polarization, and post-truth manipulation to hollow out democratic institutions from within, often maintaining a façade of legality and popular support. These cycles of rising and falling powers are driven by recurring patterns: debt, internal strife, and the erosion of trust in institutions—conditions that autocrats readily exploit.
Against this backdrop, the Greek philosophical tradition—especially as articulated by Aristotle—offers a radically different vision of political life. For Aristotle, the purpose of the state was not merely to preserve order or amass wealth, but to cultivate virtue among its citizens. A flourishing society, he argued, depends on habits of justice, courage, generosity, and mutual respect, developed through participation in civic life.
Plato, Aristotle’s teacher, was deeply skeptical of democracy’s excesses but equally wary of tyranny. In his Republic, Plato warned that unchecked appetites and demagoguery could destroy both freedom and order. Yet, both philosophers agreed that the best society is one where reason guides collective action, and where the rulers themselves are subject to laws and moral constraints.
The Greek city-state, or polis, was not perfect—slavery, exclusion, and inequality were real—but it pioneered the idea that citizens should deliberate together, hold leaders accountable, and pursue the common good. This legacy, transmitted through Rome, the Catholic Church, and later the Enlightenment, underpins the modern ideal of democracy.
Today’s autocrats are not crude dictators but sophisticated manipulators. They exploit the openness of democratic societies: using media and technology to spread misinformation, inflame divisions, and undermine trust. By presenting themselves as the voice of “the people” against corrupt elites, they justify extraordinary powers and dismantle checks and balances. Elections, courts, and parliaments become instruments of control rather than accountability.
When societies become complacent, unequal, and indebted, they become vulnerable to the promises of order and renewal offered by strongmen. The cyclical nature of history means that the dangers of autocracy are never truly banished—they must be constantly guarded against.
The antidote to autocracy’s appeal is not a naïve faith in democracy, but a renewed commitment to the Greek virtues of reasoned debate, civic responsibility, and the cultivation of character. Aristotle’s insight—that flourishing depends on practical virtue, not just material success—remains urgent. In a world awash in information and polarization, habits of justice, courage, and mutual respect are more than private virtues; they are the foundation of resilient societies.
Democracy, at its best, is not simply majority rule but a system that encourages citizens to deliberate, compromise, and hold power to account. The Greek tradition reminds us that these habits must be cultivated—they do not arise spontaneously. Education, civic engagement, and the protection of free inquiry are essential.
It is important to acknowledge that autocracy can sometimes deliver short-term stability and even prosperity. The Chinese model of centralized authority, for example, has produced remarkable economic growth. Yet, as history shows, systems that suppress dissent and concentrate power are ultimately fragile. They are prone to catastrophic mistakes, corruption, and sudden collapse when legitimacy erodes.
Democracy, by contrast, is noisy, slow, and often frustrating. It can be vulnerable to populism and gridlock. But its great strength is adaptability: the ability to self-correct, to learn from mistakes, and to renew itself through peaceful transitions of power. This resilience is rooted in the Greek ideal of collective deliberation and the ongoing cultivation of civic virtue.
Building the Future: Lessons for Today
To defend against the new authoritarianism, we must do more than protect institutions—we must revive the habits of mind and heart that sustain them. This means:
- Promoting Civic Education: Teaching not just the mechanics of government, but the virtues of citizenship and the dangers of unchecked power.
- Encouraging Deliberation: Creating spaces for genuine debate and compromise, resisting the temptations of polarization and echo chambers.
- Protecting Truth: Supporting independent media, critical thinking, and the pursuit of knowledge against the tide of misinformation.
- Fostering Inclusion: Addressing inequality and alienation, so that democracy delivers not just formal rights but real opportunities for all.
The lessons of Aristotle, Plato, and the Greeks are not relics for the classroom but living tools for our political survival. In a world where autocracy is resurgent and democracy is under siege, the cultivation of virtue, reason, and civic engagement is our best defense. The Greek tradition, far from being obsolete, is the ancient shield we need to build a future that is free, just, and flourishing for all.
(Nick Patsaouras is a Los Angeles-based electrical engineer and civic leader whose firm has shaped projects across commercial, medical, and entertainment sectors. A longtime public advocate, he ran for Mayor in 1993 with a focus on rebuilding L.A. through transportation. He has served on major public boards, including the Department of Water and Power, Metro, and the Board of Zoning Appeals, helping guide infrastructure and planning policy in Los Angeles. Nick is the author of the book "The Making of Modern Los Angeles".)
