In Plato City, we find a similar contrasting contrast between the healthy and the luxurious city. A healthy city limits its consumption to its basic needs, while the luxurious one lives well beyond its means. Plato spends the rest of the Republic attempting to uncover the virtues and political organization of these two cities. The luxurious city cannot exist without the virtue of moderation. This contrasting image of two cities raises important questions about justice and consumption. This discussion also highlights the interrelationships between justice and consumption.
The study of the ancient Greek city of Plato begins with an examination of its population and steets. The city will have several distinct classes: the poor, middle-class, and the wealthy. The rich will have wealthier and more luxurious dwellings, while the poor will live in cramped conditions. In addition, the population of the city will increase, and the kings and the guardians will have little privacy. The citizens will live in communal units, and they will share the common messes of the city.
The youths will be forced to learn gymnastics and music. This new culture will make it necessary to test each youth for their adaptability, and the best ones will be chosen to be the city's guardians. If they rebel against the ideology of the city, they will be cast out. In Plato City, youths will have a choice of two types of guardians: Those who hold onto their education, and those who have a more liberal, progressive mindset.