The Sausage Seller and Demos

Transcript

Aristophanes, an Athenian citizen and comic playwright, turns democracy itself into comedy. In one of his wildest plays, he imagines all the citizens of Athens as one old man. His name is Demos. And in a democracy, Demos is the ruler. But Demos has a weakness. He likes to be flattered. He likes promises. And he likes being told that someone cares about him more than anyone else. One man understands this very well. His name is Cleon, one of the most powerful men in Athens. In Aristophanes' comedy, Cleon knows exactly how to please Demos. He flatters him. He makes promises. He tells him what he wants to hear. And Demos trusts him. Cleon seems impossible to beat in this game. Then someone unexpected appears. A sausage seller. He has no education. No distinguished background. No experience in the Assembly. He cannot understand why anyone thinks he is suited for public life. The answer is simple. He can shout. He can flatter. And he knows how to sell. Perfect. Soon Cleon and the sausage seller are competing to win Demos’ approval. Who can promise Demos more? Who can flatter him better? Who can convince him that he alone truly cares about him? And the sausage seller wins. Not because he is wiser. Not because he is better. He is simply better at giving Demos what Demos wants. Cleon is ridiculous. The sausage seller is ridiculous. But what about Demos, the ruler in a democracy? Powerful enough to rule Athens. Human enough to be fooled by flattery.