Analyse The Role Of Democracy In Ancient Greece

Ancient Athens was not truly democratic because the middle class was in charge of politics. The upper and lower classes were not in politics at all. It was not democratic because the only people that could vote were men who are of citizen birth by both parents. People whose parent is a slave could not become a citizen so they could not vote. Democracy was excluding women, free foreigners and slaves.

The city-states of Ancient Greek provide examples of different types of government structures that, even

democracy is a form of government in which people come together and make laws for the benefit of the country for example, here in the united states people have the right to vote, have equal rights, pursuit of happiness and practice in any religion of your choice. ancient athens did not have a true democracy. In ancient athens Women, free foreigners and slaves were excluded from voting, the government body could decide if you were a citizen or not. Also, women weren't allowed to vote unless they married a citizen. Therefor there constitution did not favor democracy.

Even though Athens was the birthplace of democracy Athens, itself, was not a democracy. The reason why they are not considered a democracy is because of the 240,235 people only 12% or 29,900 of the population were allowed to vote. Men were the only citizens who could vote (Document C). The Franchise was open to all the men who were citizens by birth only. Both parents had to be citizens as well. Women weren’t allowed to be part of the Franchise (Document B).

The Athens law that allows every single man of Athens to share and glorifies their superiority over their peer poleis. In reality, the Democracy in Athens are made of Three Branches. The Assembly (Ekklesia) states that all male citizens over 18 met ten times a year and can make executive decisions like declaring war and create laws. The Assembly contradicts Pericles’ speech since it only allow white males (not slaves) to create laws and make executive decisions.

Classical Greek Era, one of the most advanced eras ahead of its time. However, what made the democracy that the Greeks established so significant to the Greece’s overall development? How did they do it? How did the Greek democracy last for long as it did? What factors caused the downfall of the infamous Greek democracy?

Greece; where many of the most important scientific and philosophical questions are thought to have first arisen, is also considered by most to be the birthplace of demokratia; or as we regard it, democracy. A system for and by the people, democracy has since transcended its early Athenian practice to become the most predominant political system in the world today. Thus wouldn't it be fitting to think that by now, Greece of all places would have found equilibrium throughout every aspect of a system it birthed several thousand years ago? Logically, this would make sense, but a democratic system of governance hasn't always been the preferred practice in Greece. In fact, Greece's democratic model is still relatively young when

On account of Athens, the idea of a democracy, or as it was called then Demokratia, ensued. The idea of a rule of the people/eligible citizens that we now have today, in example America, was originated from this. This idea concocted by this ancient civilization, provides a sound foundation in which the current government called democracy in the world today.

It's ironic that the country that would be recognized as the birthplace of democratic values contained within it a dynamic mix of government types including the entire spectrum from tyranny to democracy and everything in between. A common quote that comes to mind is that "history is written by the victors", to which Ancient Greek might be the exception. To explain this: the loosely grouped collection of city-states were actually dominated by towards the end of it's free existence by the oligarchic government of the militarly superior Spartans., however, it is the ideas of the Athenians that would primarly be carried far and wide by the concerning Macedonians and live on through the millennia. Nevertheless, we'll examine the different forms of government that existed throughout the empire of Ancient Greece.

Democracy is the rule of the whole of the people not just the males. The word demos means the adult male citizens in assembly. When Kratia means having the power to rule.”Demokratia was a rule by men citizens only, excluding women, free foreigners ( metics) and slaves.Thus, by our standards it was oligarchy, not democracy.”

The rise of democracy in Athens started when a man named Solon overturned something that was named the Draconian law. Draconian law was mainly focused its punishment on debtors, and even forced them to become basically slaves, but with its annulment, the debts were gone and slaves were set free. Solon presented a board of 400 hand-picked proprietors, which introduced policy, but these policies could be prevented by the citizens. After Solon’s restructuring, the oppressor Pisistratus governed over the Athenians. While he did as he wanted, he managed to keep the peace between the three main groups of citizens under his rule. He was particularly supported by the farmers because his main focus was agricultural advancement. After this, Pisistratus’

Athens had a democracy, and is known as being the “birthplace” of democracy. Five thousand men would be narrowed down to 500, then divided into groups of 50, who would take turns being in charge. Generals and these groups could propose laws and assess voting (Knights). However, only about 10% of the population had voting rights, pure Athenian men over 18, excluding women, slaves and the foreign born. Anyone who was present on the day of voting could raise their hands and vote and the decision made that day was final. They could also vote to eliminate anyone they felt was becoming too powerful which protected them against tyrants, but also limited their freedom of speech for fear of being exiled. Athenian government was also only open to those of the highest standing for the same reason as Sparta (Cartwright, Athenian Democracy).

Democracy in Greek translates to power to the people. Democratic societies operate on the concept that civilians share their desires, the desires are weighed, then the government represent the will of the majority. These societies hold freedom of press and speech. Representation of the people occurs in many forms ranging from town hall meetings, senate speeches, and election rallies but a majority of citizens do not participate in these events. They witness representation and freedom of speech through the media.

During the Golden Age in Greece, many things changed. Things that changed were the diversity of political views and the social doings of the Athenians and the organization of the Athenians economy. With the Golden Age, many groups worked together that wouldn’t normally interact. The biggest example of that is the relationship between Athenians and their democracy.

To start, before the fifth century all of Greek’s city-states were all monarchies. Then, they moved into aristocratism. Most city-states were run by aristocrats also, known as an oligarchy. Only the richest men like generals and judges, oversaw the city’s government. By the 600s B.C. tyrants tried to bring down the aristocrats, but they were unsuccessful in the plot. Many Athenians did not like the too strict rules of the aristocrats and attempted to topple the aristocrats. After Draco made harsh laws permitting the common people from minor crimes because the will be punishable by death and they were ready to end aristocracy. The Athenians called these strict laws Draco’s laws. Solon tried to make the Athenian laws better by making everyone a citizen and giving non-aristocratic men a say in the government. Even though, Solon was moving in the direction of democracy he was not there. It took Cleisthenes to call on the people for help to overthrow the government. He was able to overthrow aristocracy forever. Cleisthenes was able to form a new government. Under Cleisthenes’ leadership, Athens developed the world’s first democracy and all citizens had a right to vote and share their opinion on things going on in the government. The first known democracy of history was Athens; Athens was first a monarchy with a king and around the fifth century B.C. Athens transitioned into a democracy. The Athens democracy developed in this Greek city-state and the surrounding areas. Unlike