Platon’s Relevance in the Age of Technopopulism
Robin Waterfield’s biography, "Platon: En biografi," offers a lens through which to examine the contemporary political landscape, particularly the rise of technopopulism. The book delves into Plato’s life and philosophy, shedding light on his deep skepticism towards democracy, a stance shaped by his firsthand experience of Athenian politics and the demagoguery of figures like Alcibiades. This ancient context resonates unexpectedly with the modern world, where similar tensions between elite governance and popular sentiment play out.
Plato witnessed the disastrous consequences of Alcibiades’ persuasive rhetoric, which led Athens into a ruinous Sicilian expedition. The ensuing public outcry and the subsequent rise of the Thirty Tyrants cemented Plato’s conviction that uneducated masses were easily swayed by charismatic leaders, posing a grave threat to stability and good governance. This experience, coupled with his and Socrates’ association with the tyrannical regime, shaped his preference for rule by the knowledgeable and virtuous, a concept explored extensively in his works.
The current political climate seems to echo Plato’s concerns. The simplified dichotomy between populist leaders claiming to represent the "common people" and technocratic experts governing through specialized knowledge, although superficially reminiscent of ancient Athens, fails to capture the complexity of contemporary politics. As Christopher Bickerton argues in "Technopopulism," these seemingly opposing forces are increasingly merging into a hybrid form: technopopulism. This new breed of leader combines populist rhetoric with appeals to expertise, often targeting established institutions and regulations while simultaneously undermining traditional democratic processes.
Technopopulists position themselves as both the voice of the people and the possessors of superior knowledge, rendering intermediary bodies like regulatory agencies and even grassroots movements superfluous. This phenomenon erodes the foundations of participatory democracy, transforming active citizens into passive consumers of political content, more likely to "like" a post than engage in meaningful political discourse. The Swedish political scene, with its shift from grassroots engagement to symbolic gestures and culture wars, serves as a microcosm of this broader trend. Both the ruling Social Democrats and the far-right Sweden Democrats have embraced aspects of technopopulism, prioritizing performative displays of popular appeal over substantive policy debates.
Plato’s philosophy offers an insightful perspective on this evolving political dynamic. His critique of excessive inequality, as articulated in "The Republic," foresees a scenario where entrenched elites become "completely unrestrained," while dispossessed citizens harbor revolutionary desires. This observation transcends historical context, revealing a recurring pattern where extreme disparities in power and wealth sow the seeds of instability and upheaval. The fusion of oligarchic and populist tendencies, exemplified by the Sweden Democrats’ transformation from a fringe movement to a mainstream political force defending elite interests, underscores the enduring relevance of Plato’s analysis.
The blurring of lines between expertise and demagoguery presents a challenge to democratic governance. The appeal of simple solutions and emotionally charged rhetoric, amplified by social media, can easily overshadow reasoned debate and evidence-based policymaking. Plato’s skepticism towards unchecked popular sentiment serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the potential dangers of charismatic leadership and the importance of informed civic engagement. His emphasis on the rule of the wise and virtuous, though potentially elitist, highlights the need for leaders who prioritize the common good over personal ambition or the manipulation of public opinion.
In an era where traditional political divides are increasingly blurred, Plato’s insights offer a framework for understanding the emergent challenges to democratic values. The rise of technopopulism, with its combination of populist appeals and claims of technical expertise, poses a unique threat to established institutions and participatory governance. Plato’s analysis of the cyclical nature of political systems, where unchecked power inevitably leads to its own downfall, provides both a warning and a glimmer of hope. The instability inherent in such systems suggests that even seemingly entrenched structures are susceptible to change. The key lies in cultivating informed citizenry capable of discerning genuine expertise from manipulative rhetoric and demanding leadership that prioritizes the long-term well-being of society over short-term political gain. This task, though challenging, remains essential for safeguarding the principles of democracy against the allure of technopopulism and other forms of authoritarianism.
