Ancient Greek Cures to Our Current Predicament: Stasis in Western Democracies

• In Event: Contemporary Applications of Ancient Thought

Abstract

Today’s democracies no longer enjoy the political stability to which they became accustomed since the aftermath of the Cold War. Extreme levels of polarization represent a threat to Western countries if not to democracy itself. This paper focuses on the concept of stasis in Greek political thought searching in the old texts for a fresh perspective on our own predicament. It begins with the definition of stasis and explains its relevance to us. By drawing on Thucydides’ Peloponnesian War, Plato’s Republic and Aristotle’s Politics, this paper offers a better grasp of both the problem of stasis and vistas for its solution. Whether these Greek theories of stasis are compatible or not remains an open question in scholarship. Steven Skultety, for example, draws a stark contrast between Plato and Aristotle on the cause of stasis, irrational passions for the former and distinct conceptions of justice for the latter. Other scholars relate to both Aristotle and Plato contemptuous views of the people who join a stasis. I, however, would like to make the case that in his theory of stasis Aristotle agrees with Plato’s theory, builds on it and develops it. In my view, these three canonical thinkers are generous toward fiercely debating citizens. Nonetheless, their theories challenge those citizens' preconceived political affiliations and ideological commitments in an attempt to pull them out of the dangerous zone of stasis.

Author

• Benjamin Schvarcz, Bar-Ilan University