The Ancient Greeks are widely credited for developing the concept of democracy, though their practice of it still restricted in various ways as compared to the modern definition.
2. Athenian Democracy:
Athens, specifically, stood out as the pinnacle of Greek democracy during the 5th century BC., also referred to as the Age of Pericles.
3. Key Principles of Athenian Democracy:
- Demos (People): Athenian democracy emphasized citizen participation.
- Ecclesia (Assembly): All citizens (adult male citizens) had the right to attend and vote in the assembly, making key decisions regarding policies, laws, and state matters.
- Isonomia (Equality before Law): The law applied equally to all citizens, promoting a sense of fairness and justice.
- Isegoria (Equal Voice): Citizens possessed the freedom of speech, allowing them to express their opinions, debate ideas, and contribute to decision-making processes.
- Ostracism: This concept allowed for the exile of individuals deemed a threat to democracy by a popular vote.
4. Role of Philosophy and Rhetoric:
Greek philosophy, particularly the sophists and Socrates, fostered a culture of critical thinking, open dialogue, and pursuit of knowledge.
5. Direct Democracy:
Decision-making in ancient Greek democracies was primarily direct, with citizen participating directly in the assembly, rather than through elected representatives as in modern representative democracies.
6. Limitations of Greek Democracy:
- Restricted Citizenship: Only adult male citizens (around 10% of the total population) were considered citizens and had democratic rights.
- Exclusion of Women, Slaves, and Non-Citizens: Women, slaves, and resident foreigners were excluded from democratic participation.
- Polis Orientation: Greek democracy was limited to the polis (city-state) with limited interaction beyond its immediate territory.
7. Influence on Western Democracies:
The principles of Greek democracy, such as citizen participation, equality, free speech, and rule of law, paved the way for the development of democratic systems around the world, albeit with continuous evolution and adaptation.