Plato as a Theorist of Legitimacy

Abstract Scholars of political thought often view Plato as a ‘political moralist’, or ‘utopian’ partly due to the Republic’s emphasis on ‘justice’. But in Republic, offers distinctive theory legitimacy, one that grounds legitimacy an interdependent relationship between justice and moderation. Justice requires principle specialisation be respected, while moderation citizens agree about who should rule. will only if their ‘necessary’ desires are satisfied. Conversely, can satisfied when is maintained. In this way, moderation, justice, both necessary for legitimacy. Plato’s positioned relation existing accounts, especially those John Rawls Bernard Williams. It shown genuine not acquiescence. concluding section, Rawls’ subjected critique based theory.