The Greek Roots of Democracy

Chapter 1

Section 1

Objectives

� How democracy developed in the Greek city-state of Athens

� How Greek philosophers viewed reason, democracy, tyranny, and rule of law

City-States

� Greeks built small, independent city-states

� City-state = a political unit consisting of a city and surrounding lands

� Most influential city-states were Athens and Sparta

� Sparta stressed stern discipline-strong military-warriors

� Athens glorified the individual and extended political rights to more citizens

Greece

Forms of Government

� Government started as monarchy in many city-states

� Monarchy = government in which a king/queen exercises authority

� Monarchies turned into into aristocracies

� Aristocracy = government run by a small, often wealthy class of people

Spartan Government

� Two kings

� Council of elders who advised the monarchs

Athens

� Idea of democracy first took root in Athens

Democracy is government by the people

THE BIG QUESTION: WHAT CAUSED DEMOCRACY TO FIRST TAKE ROOT IN ATHENS??

Forms of Government

� Athenian aristocrats amassed wealth and power

� Ordinary people like soldiers and merchants resented the power of the aristocracy

� Unhappiness fueled the rise of tyrants (rulers who gained power by force)

� Tyrants won support from the 1) poor and 2) merchants

� Tyrants passed reforms (changes) that helped poor, ordinary people

Cleisthenes

� Athenian politician and tyrant

� He expanded the role of ordinary citizens in government and set up a genuine legislature

� Legislature = place where laws are made

� In a sense, tyrants helped move Athens toward a full democracy

Cleisthenes

Pericles

� Athenian politician

� Believed all male citizens should participate in government, regardless of social class

� Male citizens over 30 served on a jury for one year

Pericles

� In a speech, Pericles praised the Athenian form of government, stating that power was in the hands of “not a minority but of the whole people”

� (the whole people share power, not just a minority of aristocrats)

Pericles

Greek Philosophers Contribute to the Rise of Democracy

What is a philosopher?

Philosopher

� Person who seeks wisdom or enlightenment

Socrates

� Long time defender of democracy

� Went around town asking Athenian citizens annoying questions

� Socrates argued that the individual has the responsibility of following the laws of the state

� Put on trial for corruption

� Found guilty—death penalty—drank poison hemlock (poisonous plant)

Socrates

Plato

� Student of Socrates

� Plato disagreed with Socrates and rejected democracy

� The state should regulate every aspect of its citizens’ lives to provide for their best interests (because government knows what is YOUR best interest, NOT you, right?)

Plato

ANTI-DEMOCRATIC!!!

Aristotle

� Student of Plato

� Favored a constitutional government (government whose powers are expressed and limited by a constitution)

� Favored the rule of law – rules by which we are governed are 1) known in advance and 2) created through the democratic process

� Rules should not be made up after the fact by arbitrary decisions or decrees (orders)

Aristotle

� Rulers (e.g., kings, queens) must be subject to law

� All members of society—average citizens and government officials (senators, judges, the president) are required to obey the law

� “No one is above the law”

� This democratic principle lies at the heart of all modern constitutional governments

Aristotle

Summary of Greek Philosophers

� Socrates – Favored democracy

� Plato – Rejected democracy

� Aristotle – Favored constitutional government and the rule of law

Powerpoint Questions (11 points)

� 1. Identify the two principle Greek city-states

� 2. Define city-state.

� 3. Which city-state seemed to value more individual rights?

� 4. What is the type of government in which a king/queen exercises authority?

� 5. Define “democracy”.

� 6. Define “tyrants”

� 7. What did Pericles believe about democracy?

Powerpoint Questions

� 8. According to Socrates, what was the responsibility of each individual?

� 9. What did Plato believe the state should regulate?

� 10. What is the democratic principle that lies at the heart of all modern constitutional governments? Which philosopher argued this position? (2 points)

The End