Reconciling the Ideal with Reality: A Systematic Review of Plato's Republic and St. Augustine's City of God in Contemporary Political Contexts

Abstract

This systematic review critically examines the ideal State of Plato and St. Augustine's City of God, evaluating their practicability in the current political world through the lens of social contract theory. By applying the principles of social contract theory, this review reveals how the ideal State and City of God can be understood as hypothetical constructs that rely on the consent and agreement of citizens. The review demonstrates how social contract theory can help bridge the gap between the ideal and reality in political contexts. Plato's and St. Augustine's ideas are analyzed in terms of their implicit social contracts, highlighting the tensions between individual rights and collective responsibilities. The findings suggest that the ideal State and City of God can be seen as thought experiments that illuminate the nature of political obligation and the social contract. By applying social contract theory, this review shows how Plato's and St. Augustine's ideas can inform contemporary political debates on governance, democracy, and civic engagement.