From the revolted mass to mass democracy

Abstract

This article examines the significant contribution of Kostas Papaioannou’s work to the formation of Modern Greek Philosophy, specifically within the post-war generation of thinkers. The author explores how Papaioannou, moving from an initial attraction to Marxism toward a radical critique of both Soviet totalitarianism and the fundamental tenets of Marx, reinterpreted classical antiquity to address modern social concerns. A central theme is the development of the concept of the "mass" as a positive rather than purely destructive force. By linking the ancient Athenian concept of "theatrocracy" (theatrokratia) with institutions of direct democracy, Papaioannou seeks to build a framework for a meaningful "mass democracy". This perspective is contrasted with 19th and 20th-century theories of mass society—ranging from Gustave Le Bon to John Rawls—to advocate for a political subject deeply embedded in a community of culture, speech, and participatory obligations.