Part 5/9:
Socrates’s fears about democracy lay not only in its structure but in its susceptibility to manipulation by demagogues. Ancient Athens bore witness to figures like Alcibiades—a wealthy and charismatic leader who capitalized on the populace's desires, leading them into ill-fated military campaigns while undermining their freedoms. Socrates understood that demagogues could exploit people's yearning for simplistic solutions to complex issues.