For Plato, it is a democratic regime that becomes a necessary condition for the emergence of a tyrannical regime. Tyranny then is a negative value to the extent that it is a transformation from democracy. Democracy itself which for Plato is a regime where liberty is abused, is also a negative value. Plato character- ized tyranny in this way. Central to a deep understanding of the tyrant- someone whose self-constitution involves the need to dominate others as well as his or her helplessness due to domination by the external force of unnecessary pleasures is Plato's unique insight into the nature of desire.