Editing Classicism (section)

==Political philosophy==
{{Toryism |expanded=characteristics}}
{{See also|Classical republicanism}}
Classicism in political philosophy dates back to the [[Ancient Greece|ancient Greeks]]. Western political philosophy is often attributed to the great Greek philosopher [[Plato]]. Although political theory of this time starts with Plato, it quickly becomes complex when Plato's pupil, Aristotle, formulates his own ideas.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Devereux|first=Daniel|editor1-first=George|editor1-last=Klosko|date=2011-09-02|title=Classical Political Philosophy: Plato and Aristotle|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199238804.003.0007|journal=Oxford Handbooks Online|doi=10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199238804.003.0007|url-access=subscription}}</ref> "The political theories of both philosophers are closely tied to their ethical theories, and their interest is in questions concerning constitutions or forms of government."<ref name=":0" />

However, Plato and Aristotle are not the seedbed but simply the seeds that grew from a seedbed of political predecessors who had debated this topic for centuries before their time. For example, [[Herodotus]] sketched out a debate between [[Theseus]], a king of the time, and [[Creon of Thebes|Creon]]'s messenger. The debate simply shows proponents of democracy, monarchy, and oligarchy and how they all feel about these forms of government. Herodotus' sketch is just one of the beginning seedbeds for which Plato and Aristotle grew their own political theories.<ref name=":0" />

Another Greek philosopher who was pivotal in the development of Classical political philosophy was [[Socrates]]. Although he was not a theory-builder, he often stimulated fellow citizens with paradoxes that challenged them to reflect on their own beliefs.<ref name=":0" /> Socrates thought "the values that ought to determine how individuals live their lives should also shape the political life of the community."<ref name=":0" /> he believed the people of Athens involved wealth and money too much into the politics of their city. He judged the citizens for the way they amassed wealth and power over simple things like projects for their community.<ref name=":0" />

Just like Plato and Aristotle, Socrates did not come up with these ideas alone. Socrates ideals stem back from [[Protagoras]] and other 'sophists'. These 'teachers of political arts' were the first to think and act as Socrates did. Where the two diverge is in the way they practiced their ideals. Protagoras' ideals were loved by Athens. Whereas Socrates challenged and pushed the citizens and he was not as loved.<ref name=":0" />

In the end, ancient Greece is to be credited with the foundation of Classical political philosophy.