Chapter 2 The Democratic Ideal Part I Democracy

Chapter 2 – The Democratic Ideal (Part I)

Democracy Demos = “the people” Kratein = “to rule” Democracy = “Rule by the people”: the idea that ordinary people want to rule themselves and are capable of doing so.

Democracy and the Democratic Ideal We trace the emergence of the concept to Pericles’ and Socrates’ celebration of the Athenian ideal of democracy, even though Athens’ citizen-rulers were only constituted by 1/10 of the population.

Democracy and the Democratic Ideal Democracy is an IDEAL of political participation and involvement in the making of laws. EVEN THOUGH the concept EMERGED in the ancient political world, Aristotle and Plato were skeptical of democracy. They feared mob rule, an over-emphasis on short term benefits, and political chaos. Nonetheless, the IDEAL of democracy was born.

Athenian Democracy The idea of democracy in ancient Athens was associated with public spirited citizens (polites), rather than individuals pursuing their own private liberty (idiotes). Public deliberation would create in citizens a habit of thinking about the public good, rather than about their own personal gain. Reached its high point under the rule of Pericles between 461 – 429 BC Declined at the end of 5 th Century BC Coincided w/ emergence of political philosophy

Athenian Democracy (con’t) Athenian democracy consisted of an assembly of all male citizens who were all considered lawmakers. Women, foreigners, and children of foreigners were not considered citizens. Athenian “democracy” Direct Democracy, rather than Representative Democracy Highly exclusive of the vast majority who were not citizens Certain principles of democratic theory receive their first airing among the minority who did participate

Direct vs. Representative Democracy Direct Democracy Athens in the 5 th Century BC: Rule by the people exercised directly in an open assembly No Elected Representatives Not compatible with republican principles Representative Democracy Modern democracies today: Rule by the people, exercised indirectly through representatives selected by the people Compatible with republican principles

Aristotle’s Six-fold Classification of Government In Whose Interest? Rule By The Public The Ruler(s) Monarchy Tyranny/Totalitarianism THE FEW Aristocracy Oligarchy THE MANY Polity (Republic) Democracy ONE Source: Adapted from Ball, Terence and Richard Dagger, Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal, 5 th ed. (New York: Pearson/Longman): 22.

Ancient Rome and the Renaissance The “republic” of ancient Rome ( c. 500 BC – 44 BC) drew upon Aristotle’s idea of polity. The Romans called their mixed form of government a Republic. Like Aristotle’s Polity, Republicanism required mixed government, rule of law, and virtuous citizenry. Titus Livius, the Roman historian of the Augustan Era (early years of the Roman Empire) celebrated the virtuous citizenry and high moral Roman national character. Machiavelli drew upon Livy’s writings in his Discourses, which provided the first modern doctrine of republicanism.