The Assemblywomen: The Ancient Greek Play That Mercilessly (and Hilariously) Mocked Socialism and Democracy

Pic from Aubrey Beardsley's illustrations for Aristophanes's 'Lysistrata'

"We hear a lot of talk these days about 'late-stage capitalism,' but in reading [the hilarious classical Greek playwright] Aristophanes one gets the sense that we have much more to fear from Late-Stage Democracy, a state in which individuals see it as perfectly proper to separate people from their property and natural rights so long as enough people approve of the measure.
    "Fortunately, unlike the Ancient Athenians, we have the benefit of teachings from individuals like John Locke, Adam Smith, and Ayn Rand that show the folly of such thinking. Whether we choose to heed them is up to us.
    "Either way, Aristophanes shows us that humour can be found even during the collapse of civilisation and common sense."

~ Jon Miltimore, from his post 'The Assemblywomen: The Ancient Greek Play That Mercilessly (and Hilariously) Mocked Socialism and Democracy'