Abstract

The aim of this paper is to show how, over and above the differences with regard to the Republic, in the Laws Plato’s judgement of democracy is sharply critic. More specifically, my scope is to demonstrate that in the Laws Plato introduces some democratic elements, like the mechanism of drawing lots and the Council, by reshaping them according to the professionalization of politics. Plato aims at showing that he does not contradict both the popular tradition and the mechanisms implemented by the Athenian democracy, and at persuading people to adhere to his own constitution, oriented towards complete virtue.