Democracy

Definition

Democracy is a system of government in which power is vested in the people, who exercise that power directly or through elected representatives. In ancient Greece, particularly in Athens, democracy was a groundbreaking political innovation that allowed citizens to participate in decision-making, shaping the political landscape of the time and influencing future governance systems.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Athenian democracy was established around the 5th century BCE and allowed male citizens to participate directly in decision-making through assemblies.
2. Only about 10-20% of the population in Athens were considered citizens eligible to vote, excluding women, slaves, and non-citizens.
3. Key democratic practices included the use of lotteries to select officials and the principle of accountability, where leaders could be held responsible for their actions.
4. The concept of democracy spread from Athens to other city-states and influenced various forms of governance throughout history, including modern democracies.
5. The decline of Athenian democracy was marked by internal strife and external pressures, including the rise of Sparta and later Macedonian dominance.

Review Questions

• How did Athenian democracy differ from modern democratic systems, and what unique features were present in its implementation?
  • Athenian democracy was characterized by direct participation, where male citizens gathered to vote on laws and policies themselves. In contrast, modern democracies often employ representative systems where elected officials make decisions on behalf of citizens. Unique features of Athenian democracy included the use of lotteries for selecting government officials and the practice of ostracism to remove influential figures perceived as threats to the state.
• Discuss the role of citizenship in Athenian democracy and its implications for who could participate in governance.
  • In Athenian democracy, citizenship was critical as it determined who had the right to participate in political life. Only free-born males over 18 who had completed military training were granted citizenship rights. This exclusion meant that women, slaves, and foreigners were denied participation, highlighting a limited vision of democracy that contrasted with modern ideals of universal suffrage and equal rights.
• Evaluate how the rise and fall of Athenian democracy influenced subsequent political thought and modern democratic practices.
  • The rise of Athenian democracy laid the groundwork for concepts such as popular sovereignty and civic participation, influencing later political thought during the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods. The fall of Athenian democracy, due to internal conflicts and external pressures, served as a cautionary tale about the fragility of democratic systems. These historical lessons have shaped modern democracies by emphasizing the importance of checks and balances, civic engagement, and the protection of minority rights to maintain stable governance.

Related terms

Oligarchy:

A form of government in which power resides with a small number of people, often from the same social, economic, or political class.

Citizenship: The status of being a member of a state or nation, which in ancient Greece included certain rights and responsibilities, particularly the right to participate in political life.

Agora:

A central public space in ancient Greek city-states used for assemblies and as a marketplace, serving as a focal point for civic life and democratic practices.