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Communism of Property and Wives. Plato - The Republic


    In quest of a philosopher king to make an ideal state or just state is a quite difficult task. To solve the problem, Plato puts forth his educational system.

Plato's Education System -

Plato suggests the following:-

  1. separate boys and girls from their parents and put them in the custody of the state.
  2. all are to be brought up and educated under similar circumstances without any discrimination.
  3. given them physical education till 10 years of age.
  4.  each school will have gymnasium and play ground
  5. make them so much fit so that they don't need any medication.
  6. From 11th till the age of 15, they'll be taught music to supplement spiritual softness along with physical toughness. 
  7. Along with music, they will be familiarized with mathematics, science and history.
  8. from 16th to the age of 20, moral education would be given.
  9. at the age of 20, their level of learning high level of education will be tested.
  10. those failing in the exam will be send to become peasant and traders.
  11. those passing the exam will be sent for advanced physical, mental and moral training from 21st till the age of 30 years.
  12. another examination will follow, failing of which will send them to become soldiers in the army and navy. 
  13. passing the exam, they will be taught philosophy from 31st to 35 years of age. 
  14. at the age of 36, they will return to worldly life and till 50 they will be grappling the problems of life. 
  15. at the age of 50 there will be another examination, qualifying of which will make them rulers, and failing will make them join ranks of soldiers.

Guardians and their style of living

In order to keep the guardians (philosopher + soldiers) free from corruption, Plato suggests them to follow typical lifestyle - called 'communism of property and wives'. Summary is as follows:- 

  1. guardians will not have any private families
  2. men and women will be isolated from ordinary population, enter into group marriage, and become each others common husbands and wives. 
  3. all men will have common wives and children.
  4. all newly born children will be separated from their parents and put in the custody of the state. Parents will not be allowed to know the identity of their children. 
  5. this family detachment will make men and women to dedicate themselves rendering the service of the state. 

What is the distinction between Plato's Communism and Modern Communism ?

The Pala Dynasty (750 AD – 1150 AD)
Aristotle's Concept of Citizenship  
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