ABSTRACT
This chapter is concerned with both theoretical perspectives and the empirical cases. Plato sought out a solution in restructuring tyrannical rule by the epistemic rule of a genuine philosopher; Weber sought out a solution by a charismatic leader of the masses – a ruler driven by both conviction and responsibility. Considering the social, cultural, and intellectual distances that separate the two thinkers, it is remarkable how close are the ‘conclusions’ they draw from their respective problematisation of the issue. First, in both schemes a true leader needs to be driven by a moral vision which is beyond the world of opinion or belief based on suppositions and appearance. second, in both schemes the leader needs to distance themselves from the subject of their rule, the electorate, a distance necessitated by their commitment to episteme or by his deep moral convictions and commitment to truth.
