Pleonexia, the Abuse of Power, and the Downfall of Democracies in Ancient Greek Thought

From the collapse of governments in Thucydides'' Histories to the moral dilemmas in Plato''s Republic and the forecasts of the end of the Roman Republic in the works of Polybius and Diodorus Siculus, this volume explores the ancient Greek concept of pleonexia, a term that encapsulates the idea of seeking gain at the expense of others through the abuse of power. Shown to be a driving force in the disintegration of communities, William Burghart’s study demonstrates how ancient Greek authors created a cohesive model of societal collapse driven by parasitic greed. This model not only shaped their historical narratives but continues to resonate with contemporary theories of social decline.
By tracing the evolution of pleonexia across four centuries of Greek thought, it situates this ancient concept within modern discussions of political and cultural tensions. It demonstrates how the ancient Greek understanding of abusing power and community collapse can offer insights into the challenges facing democracies today. This book bridges the gap between ancient wisdom and modern scholarship, making it an essential resource for understanding both the past and the present dynamics of societal collapse.