CEVAP:

Plato's resistance to the democracy practiced in Athens at the time suggests that participation by large groups of citizens could lead to the mob-rule. He supported a more oligarchic form of government, because elections were limited to higher-class society. Plato's government would not accept that all citizens should participate in politics unless they were properly trained. He claimed that average citizens without training lacked the necessary judgement. Aristotle, on the other hand, was more supportive of participation. He believed any citizen could be properly informed to participate effectively. Aristotle said that citizens had an obligation to participate in politics. He said that through participation society gained more direct support from government. For him, citizens possessed the ability to form societies where equal and just treatment was practiced through direct participation in their governments.