The Merits of Dissent

The transcript discusses how democracy in Athens challenged elites like Plato and Aristotle to justify alternative political systems. It highlights the failures of aristocratic rule and the resulting explosion of political thought. The text explores two types of dissent in democracy: internal dissent, which seeks to return to democratic values, and external dissent, which challenges these values. The rise of China and Eastern values is presented as a modern challenge to democratic ideals, prompting a need for democratic societies to defend their core values.

In what ways can criticism of democratic values be constructive according to the text?

What are the implications of having different sets of values, such as Confucian values, in relation to democracy?