When Socrates begins to construct the “city in speech” in Book II, he quickly establishes within it a guardian class according to the “one man, one art” principle: everyone in the city must perform that function, and that alone, which he (or she) is by nature best fitted to perform. Craftsmen must be only craftsmen, guardians must be only guardians, and rulers must be only rulers. Is a convincing arrangement? What difficulties might it present? What advantages? Do the advantages outweigh the difficulties? Is it elitist and if so does it or does it not matter?