Plato's Second Republic: An Essay on the Laws

Platos Laws is an important political dialogue that provides a critical foundation for the principles of lawmaking, articulating the corruptibility of unchecked power, the rule of law, a "middle" constitution, and the political necessity of legislative preambles. It develops a theological conception of law anchored in political ideas about a god, divine reason, and the place of freedom.

Format: Hardback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 29 November 2022
Publisher: Princeton University Press

In Plato's Second Republic, André Laks contends that the Laws, Plato's final and longest dialogue, surpasses the Republic in historical relevance and can be considered his most important political work. Laks offers a comprehensive reevaluation of this lesser-known text, examining how it provides a critical foundation for principles of lawmaking. Through his analysis, Laks demonstrates the profound impact of the Laws on political philosophy and modern political history.

Laks highlights how the four central ideas in the Laws—the corruptibility of unchecked power, the rule of law, a "middle" constitution, and the political necessity of legislative preambles—are articulated within an intricate and masterful literary architecture. He reveals how the work develops a theological conception of law anchored in political ideas about a god, divine reason, that serves as the measure of political order. Laks's reading offers a complex analysis of the relationships between rulers and citizens, their roles in a political system, the power of reason and persuasion versus force in commanding obedience, and the significance of freedom.

Plato's Second Republic presents a sophisticated reevaluation of a philosophical work that has exerted an enormous, if often hidden, influence even into the present day. The Laws serve as a valuable resource for scholars and policymakers seeking to understand the foundations of political order and the dynamics between rulers and citizens. By delving into the intricate literary structure and theological underpinnings of the dialogue, Laks provides a fresh perspective on Plato's political thought, shedding light on its enduring relevance and significance.

Weight: 658g
Dimension: 164 x 243 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691233130