What was Socrates criticism of democracy?
http://www.allanstime.com/Government/socrates_democracy.htm
Is it that Socrates wanted people to improve and that power wealth or pleasure is not what he urged? Is this a good answer? Is the answer wrong?
That is a very bad answer. WRong. Off the mark.
<<. Socrates openly taught that the principal fault of democracy was that it did not require proof of special knowledge in its leaders, that it surrendered the direction of the people’s destinies to men without adequate experience in government, and that on the question of the morality of justice of a policy it treated the opinions of all citizens as equal in value.>>
What does the veneration of laws mean?
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/veneration
http://www.answers.com/veneration
Why do you believe that the United States borrowed the classic style of architecture developed by the Greeks for the buildings that house the government?
In Colonial America and after the new nation was formed, the founding fathers in all the colonies/states were usually highly educated men ... and being highly educated meant they had studied lots of Latin and Greek literature and ideas. Thus there was great influence by the Greek and Roman cultures on colonial and early US ideas, art, architecture, etc.
Socrates, an ancient Greek philosopher, had several criticisms of democracy. To understand his perspective, we can refer to his student, Plato's writings, particularly the dialogues "The Republic" and "The Apology."
Firstly, Socrates believed that the majority of people in a democracy might not possess the necessary knowledge or expertise to make informed decisions about governance. He argued that true wisdom and knowledge should be the guiding force in making political decisions, rather than the opinions of the masses. Socrates believed that only a small group of philosophers, who possessed true understanding and virtue, could effectively govern.
Secondly, Socrates criticized democracy for its potential to give rise to demagogues or charismatic leaders who manipulate the emotions and prejudices of the masses to gain power. He believed that such leaders often exploit people's ignorance, fears, and desires to pursue their own interests, rather than act in the best interest of the society as a whole.
Furthermore, Socrates argued that democracy could lead to the tyranny of the majority, where the rights and interests of minority groups are disregarded or suppressed. He believed that majority rule, without proper checks and balances or respect for individual rights, could create an oppressive system where the majority easily becomes tyrannical and unjust.
To further explore Socrates' thoughts on democracy, you can read Plato's dialogues, especially "The Republic," where Socrates engages in a critical examination of different forms of governance, including democracy. Keep in mind that Socrates' criticisms were based on his own philosophical principles and may not necessarily align with modern perspectives on democracy.