Statesman is a dialogue written by Plato in the late 4th century BC, examining true statesmanship and the qualities of a proper ruler. The discussion begins with the Eleatic Stranger and Younger Socrates dividing knowledge into theoretical and practical domains. They then review different forms of government and their shortcomings, seeking to identify the essential traits of genuine leadership. The statesman is compared to a weaver, who interlaces diverse characters and classes into a unified fabric. Through this analogy, Plato highlights the essence of political science and the conditions of the ideal leader.
