The ideal state of Plato’s Republic has often been presented by socialists and other modern writers as the great prototype of all socialistic doctrine. We must consider to what extent such a view is justified. In his famous myth of the three metals, Plato divides his citizens into three classes—rulers, auxiliaries, and farmers and artisans.303 His avowed purpose here, as indeed throughout his Republic, is to secure the highest degree of happiness for all the citizens.304 In order to gain this end, he provides for a most thoroughgoing system of communism, including all property, both for production and for consumption, except such as is necessary for the immediate need.305 He extends it even to the common possession of wives and children,306 that all private interests may be reduced to a minimum.307 He provides further for a common work308 and education309 for men and women.
Such, in brief, is the system proposed in the Republic.310 Superficially considered, it would seem to be the parent of modern socialism and communism. There is, however, actually but slight similarity between them. The so-called communism of Plato extends only to the first two classes, which can include but a small minority of the citizenship.311 Thus the masses, with