The Beginning of Democracy Greek Politicians and Philosophers

The Beginning of Democracy: Greek Politicians and Philosophers Mr. Stagnaro Los Banos High School

Objective o o To learn who began the democratic movement in Greece and why it is important for today’s democratic societies. California Content Standards n n 10. 1. 1 – Analyze the views of law, reason and faith, and duties of the individual. 10. 1. 2 – Development of Western political thought

Content o o o Brief History What is democracy? Greek Political System Reformers Philosophers

Brief History o o Only in Athens, "rule by many" meant that all citizens had to be willing to take an active part in government. Each year, 500 names were drawn from all the citizens of Athens. Those 500 citizens had to serve for one year as the law makers of ancient Athens. All citizens of Athens were required to vote on any new law that this body of 500 citizens created. One man, one vote, majority ruled. After the Peloponnesian War, Athens was ruled by a king. But for a brief period of about 100 years, Athens was a democracy.

What Is Democracy? o demokratia – “people-power” or rule by the people. n n Everyone in the city-state? Qualified citizens? o o Landowners Wealthy Men Definitions change over time

Greek Political System o o By the time of Aristotle (fourth century BC) there were hundreds of Greek democracies. Greece in those times was not a single political entity but rather a collection of some 1, 500 separate poleis or 'cities. ’ n n Oligarchy - where power was in the hands of the few richest citizens. Monarchy – power in the hands of a king. Tyranny - in cases where the sole ruler had usurped power by force rather than inheritance. Democracy - the oldest, the most stable, the most longlived, but also the most radical, was Athens.

Reformers in Athens o o o Solon Cleisthenes Pericles

Reformers - Solon o o o The origin of the Athenian democracy Poet, Statesman, not a democrat. Crisis needing reforms – 594 BC n n n Cancelled agricultural debts Announced all slaves were free Four class of people based upon productivity not birth o Three highest orders could hold office o Excluded: women, children, slaves, aliens, artisans, merchants

Reformers - Cleisthenes o o Founder of democracy in Athens Council of Five Hundred n n n No more than two terms in a lifetime Every citizen would learn from political experience Divided Athens into ten tribes Each tribe would send 50 men Full time job (35 days), paid a fee

Reformers – Cleisthenes Cont. o Council of 500 duties: n n n Qualifications of officials Allocation of funds Construction of public buildings Collected rent/redistribution of confiscated property Administering state pensions Receiving foreign delegations

Reformers - Pericles o o Direct Democracy – All citizens in Athens had the opportunity to vote on every law, and not use representatives. Increased # of paid public officials and by paying jurors. n Poorer citizens could participate in gov’t

Reformers - Pericles o Equality of justice n secured by the jury system which ensured: o o slaves and resident aliens were represented through their patrons. Equality of opportunity: n criteria for choosing citizens for office was: o o o n n Merit Efficiency not wealth. Whereas Solon had used the criterion of birth for his officials Cleisthenes had used wealth, Pericles now used merit.

Philosophers o o o Philo = lover; sophia = wisdom The universe is orderly and has unchangable laws People can understand these laws by using logic and reason to explore new ideas – creates an atmosphere conductive to democracy.

S. P. A. o S – ocrates n n Examine closely held beliefs (freedom) Q and A approach (Mr. Stagnaro) o o n Socratic Method Clarity, Accuracy, Precision, Relevance, Depth, Breadth, Logic, Significance Greatest student was Plato

S. P. A. continued o P – lato n The Republic – Plato writes about his vision for a perfect society being ruled by the wisest o o n “Until philosophers are kings … and political greatness and wisdom meet in one … cities will never have rest from their evils, nor the human race. Perfection could be achieved. Plato’s greatest student was Aristotle

S. P. A. Plato continued o o o Plato disliked Athenian democracy and preferred the government of Sparta. He gave more importance to the state than to the individual. Like the Spartans he believed that each person should place service to the community above strictly personal goals. Plato also believed that the result of people having too much freedom is social disorder. He distrusted the lower classes and wanted only the most intelligent and best educated citizens to participate in government.

S. P. A. continued o A – ristotle n n Interested in the natural world Politics o o “Man is by nature a political animal, it is his nature to live in a state. ” People need the incorporation in a larger group than self.

S. P. A. Aristotle continued o Ideal form of government balanced: n n n o monarchy, Aristocracy democracy in one system. Power to rest with the middle class: n n Know how to command. Know how to obey.