How did Socrates feel about the leaders of Athens? Did he respect them. Was he a Democrat?

Socrates does not hate the leaders of Athens. He says to them in Plato's Apology "Men of Athens, I honor and love you". As far as valuing and accepting their laws, he does to a certain extent. After Socrates tells them he loves them, the philosopher goes on to say, "but I shall obey God rather than you". He does accept the authority as long as it does not go against his own belifs. On …

…me as if he did not recognize the leaders gods. This was a terible crime to the Athineans. Socrates did not follow the accepted traditions of Athens. To ask if Socrates is a democrate does not have a simple yes or no answer for me. I would say that to what a democrate was in Ancient Greese times, he was not. To what a democrate is today, yes, definatly still his own person, but yes.