Plato's Philosopher Kings and Term Limits

• 41:11Tim explains Plato's argument that ancient Rome's decline followed its embrace of total permissiveness—orgies, homosexuality, no rules.
• 41:46Plato's core claim: democracy fails because everyone shouldn't have equal voting power; a doctor and a candy shop owner don't have equal competence.
• 42:20Tim describes Plato's solution—voters should be educated, with a college major in voting—and notes that the less qualified candidate always wins anyway.
• 42:48He insists he's a liberal despite all evidence to the contrary, comparing it to claiming to be a vegetarian while photographic proof shows him eating ribs.
• 43:34Conservative kids are more open-minded than liberal kids, who are boring and either broke or malnourished-looking with roommates.
• 43:57Plato's philosopher kings concept: trained individuals selected by a council, not elected through money and charisma, serving four to six years.
• 44:32The executive should be someone morally tested and trained, not a game show host with charisma and unlimited campaign financing.
• 45:01Legislators need term limits to prevent permanent power factions and corruption, but the judicial branch can't have them without politicizing judges.
• 45:20Senators and congressmen should function in the real world after leaving office rather than make politics their entire career.
• 45:38A referendum system could allow exceptions for truly effective leaders, letting voters decide whether to extend someone's time if they're genuinely good at it.

democracyPlato's RepublicPlatoancient RomeWest Village