Democracy (People’s Power)

-What is it?-Where did it begin?-How did it developed?-Who was involved?-Why is it important?

What is Government?Government: a system for controlling society

Throughout history people have recognized the need for a system to organize society

For much of history, people lived under the rule of kings or rulers with absolute power

Opposite of democracy

First democracies=GREECE & ROME

Changing Governments

Greek city-states tried various forms of government

monarchy: one person (king/monarch) rules govt

aristocracy: govt ruled by small group of noble, land-owning families

oligarchy: govt ruled by a few, powerful people (wealthy merchants, nobility, etc.)

democracy: rule of the people

“Demos” = people

“Kratos” = power

                                          

Athenian DemocracyAthens becomes largest & most powerful city-state Citizens = adult males

Citizens participate in decision makingEconomic problems & debt (600 B.C.)

Poor farmers pledge their crops, land, then themselves (indentured servants/slaves) to wealthy landowners

Solon (638 B.C.-558 B.C.)Outlawed indentured slavery & cancelled farmers’ debts.Established 4 classes of citizenship based on wealth, not heredity (born into)

more rights & opportunitiesonly top 3 classes were eligible to hold office but citizens could vote

Created Council of 400 & these reforms: increased participation in government made laws more faircreated beneficial economic reforms (trade)

Citizens = all free adult males.only 1/10 of population were citizenswomen, slaves (1/3 of population), & foreigners were excluded

1 of the 7 Wise Men of Greece

Cleisthenes (570 B.C.-507 B.C.)

Expanded the Council of 400 to 500 members

chosen randomlyBroke up the power of the nobility

poor citizens had more involvementTried to balance rich & poor

Citizens were allowed to submit laws to gov’t

Only 1/5 of population were citizens

Pericles (495 B.C. – 429 B.C.)Greeks fight Persian invaders trying to conquer Greece (490-479)

Democracy survivesPericles

paid jurors & increased the number of paid public officials

this allowed poor citizens to participate in government

DIRECT DEMOCRACY= citizens rule directly & make laws (no representatives)he was very proud of Athens democracy

                              

Why Remember Greek Democracy?• Believed citizens should have a say in gov’t• Voting• public debate• making laws• serving on juries• holding office

DIRECT DEMOCRACY!!!The Greeks had established a direct democracy and three branches of government:

legislative to make lawsexecutive to carry out laws judicial to interpret laws in dispute

Democracy CrumblesCivil war breaks out in Greece

Athens vs. Sparta (Peloponnesian War), then Macedonia conquers

Alexander the GreatDemocracy does not die

3 incredible Greek philosophers continue democratic ideasused LOGIC & REASON to investigate the nature of the universe, human society, and morality

Socrates (469 B.C. –399 B.C.)

QUESTION your beliefs (analyze) Why do you believe what you believe?

Socratic Methodquestion-and-answer approach to understand beliefs & learnwent against superstition and illogical beliefs

The universe was created and operates in an orderly way, not based on the whims of gods

question everything including authority!!!!!Charged with treason to the gods & executed (hemlock)

Plato (428 B.C.-348 B.C.)Socrates’ student, wrote The RepublicMain ideas:

PHILOSOPHER KING, the wisest person, should rule (not the richest or strongest)He didn’t think average people were capable of governingThought a ruler became a danger to the people when the ruler has too much freedom

Creates the Academylasts nearly 900 yearsElite, not open to public

Aristotle (384 B.C. – 322 B.C.)Plato’s studentMiddle Class!!!Politics

people are political by naturethey must live in a state with a structured government

Main ideasleaders act selfishly and against the best interest of the peopleThe government must follow the law!!!

Started the Lyceum School to encourage thorough study in many fields Mostly free & open to public

Democracy moves west to Rome

Roman DemocracyRome ruled by kings, overthrown 509 B.C., establish a republicRepublic =

indirect democracy = representative government !!!!!

citizens elect representatives/leaders to make government decisionsMost modern democracies are indirect

Citizens = free-born adult males only

Just like Greece, women & slaves not allowed to vote

Who had the Power?

Two classes

patricians = aristocrats (landowners), inherited power

plebeians = working class (farmers, merchants, artisans)

Citizens who had the right to vote, banned from most powerful govt positions

fought over their power in government, gained more power

2 branches of govt

executive -2 consuls

legislative – the SENATE (patricians)

In time of crisis, dictator allowed 6-month term

Roman Written LawWhen laws were not written down, patricians often “interpreted” laws in whatever ways suited themPlebians demanded that laws be written downImportance: all free citizens had the right to protection of law & LAWS APPLY EQUALLY TO EVERYONE

Fundamental Roman Laws

Laws apply equally to all citizens

A person is considered innocent until proven guilty

The burden of proof rests with the accuser

A person is punished only for actions, not for thoughts

Unreasonable or unfair laws can be set aside

Does any of this sound familiar?

Why remember the Roman Republic?

Laws apply equally to everyone

Written law

Republic=representative democracy=

indirect democracy