Communism of Wives and Property

An important aspect of Plato’s political thought is communism of wives and property. The concept of communism was not known to Greeks, but both in Athens and Sparta a little of communism can be seen. He thought that, Guardian class must be free from physical uncertainties so they can focus on public service. He asserted that, during the acquisition of property and family would stand in the way of philosopher king to take proper decision about the community. Plato said that mixture of political and economic power was restricted to lead to corruption and deprivation in the state and an operative system of administration could operate only when economic power was absolutely separated from political power. Baker said that the think of communalism by Plato was an important step in his thinking. According to Prof. Sabine “So firmly was Plato convinced of pernicious effect of wealth upon Government that he saw no way to abolish the evil except by abolishing wealth itself, so far as the soldiers and rulers are concerned”.

1) Communism on Property:

 Plato understood that, private property was a hesitant piece in the way of the unity of state, he wanted to abolish by Communism of Property. He was afraid that the having private property would promote selfish thoughts and diverge the devotion of philosopher ruler from public service. Hence he gave two ruling classes the right to have private property. It was noted that the communism was only for the guardian class expect them to make rejection of private property. The guardians reject the property and family for the good of the society. 

Criticism of Communism of Property:

 Aristotle his student, criticized Plato’s concept of communism of property are here under:

 1 With the doing away of the private property there would barely be any encouragement for hard work and the healthy struggle, which is so important for the growth of society. 

2 His communism is only for the ruling class and workers and peasant are exempted, who were from the majority of the society. Any scheme which excludes majority of people in the society, failure of freedom would arise.

 3 The elimination of institution of private property will end the charity and generosity thoughts would be abolished. 

4 His communism of property was bound to result in loss of production. 

5 The distinct interest of individuals would effect on the development and progress of the society. His communism prevents from happening which would give richness to life. 

2) Communism of Wives: 

His thought of communism of wives was the extension of his communism of property. He was of the opinion that man always give importance to his family and children over the interest of nation, hence he gave greater importance to communism of wives. Plato’s communism of wives was based on certain principles which were mentioned below:

 1 The scheme also for the sake of guardian class only like that of communism of property, and majority of artisan and present class were excluded from it. 

2.  Communism of wives sure to control the thoughts of selfishness and free the women from the labour of home which allow them to work for the cause of state. 

3. There was no system of lasting wedding between the guardian class and women were shared for all men.

 4. All the guardian have to live both men and women were to live together and share barracks

 5. It was the obligation of state to organize a brief mating between best men and best women for one year to yield best children to increase the population of the state. 

6. After the birth of children all of them must be separated from their mothers, no child must know their parents and the duty of rearing lies upon the state nurses. State, to provide the best education to them to nurse them as best citizens. 

7. The entire guardian class was transformed into big family and children born in a specific season must be treated as brothers and sisters.  

8. The weak and disfigured children must be killed as soon as they born so that their birth should not be burden on the state.

9. He showed dissimilarity in communism of wives, he said that, guardian people to reject the property but in the case of wives he said that, women were given the common ownership to the guardians. 

Criticism:

His concept of communism of wives was criticized severely even Aristotle criticized, his criticism as follows: 

1. He treated state as a bloated version of family, he stated the organic concept and did not find any variance between family and state. In reality there is big difference between these two and they are not identical. 

2. Communism of wives inevitable to lead social disagreement and causes much damage to the society, distributing one female is not wife for all guardians. 

3. Children cannot grow into balanced way because they will not get care and nourishment which is required in a family. In fact nobody can take the responsibility of the children, something for all is not the responsibility of none. 

4. It is ridiculous to apply similarity of animals to humans and asked the state to measured reproducing. 

5. The suggested reproduction or mating is not practical and it is not possible to bring mating of best women with best men.