Go to Lesson 2 and the section called "How did Athenian democracy work?" In your own words, describe how democracy worked in Athens?
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In Athens, democracy worked through a system of direct participation and decision-making by its citizens. All male citizens above the age of 18 were allowed to participate in the democratic process. They gathered regularly in a meeting known as the Assembly, where they voted on legislation, proposed new laws, and made important decisions for the city-state.
The Assembly was responsible for determining the foreign policy of Athens, making decisions about war and peace, and managing the city's finances. Any citizen could speak and share their opinions or concerns at the Assembly. However, the final decision was made through majority vote.
Additionally, Athens had a system of judicial courts where citizens would serve as jurors. These courts were responsible for deciding on legal matters and resolving disputes. The jurors were selected by lottery, ensuring that all citizens had an equal chance to participate in the legal process.
Furthermore, Athens introduced the concept of ostracism, where citizens could vote to exile a prominent figure from the city for ten years, if they believed that person posed a threat to democracy. This was seen as a way to prevent the concentration of power and ensure the equality of all citizens.
Overall, Athenian democracy emphasized citizen participation and collective decision-making, where citizens had the right to voice their opinions, propose laws, and vote on important matters affecting the city-state.
In Athens, democracy was a system of government where all eligible citizens had the opportunity to participate in decision-making. Here's a step-by-step description of how democracy worked in Athens:
1. Eligible Citizens: Only adult male citizens were considered eligible to participate in Athenian democracy. Women, slaves, and foreigners were excluded from political participation.
2. Assembly: The foundation of Athenian democracy was the assembly, known as the Ecclesia. This was a gathering of all eligible citizens that took place about 40 times a year. They could debate and vote on important issues, including legislation, policies, and war declarations.
3. Open Debates: During assembly meetings, citizens were free to stand up and voice their opinions on any matter. They could propose new laws, argue for or against existing laws, or bring other matters to the attention of the assembly.
4. Majority Rule: In most cases, decisions were made by majority vote. However, sometimes certain laws required a higher majority (such as two-thirds) to pass, ensuring that significant decisions had broad support.
5. Random Selection: Some positions in the government were filled by random selection. This system, known as sortition, allowed ordinary citizens to serve in important roles, such as the Council of 500. This helped prevent corruption and promote equality.
6. Courts: Athenian democracy also featured a judicial system. Citizens could serve as jurors, participating in trials and rendering verdicts. These juries were large, typically consisting of 201 to 501 citizens, to ensure fair decision-making.
7. Officials: Athens also had elected officials responsible for executing the decisions made by the assembly. These officials, including generals, treasurers, and magistrates, were typically subjected to scrutiny and accountability.
8. Limitations: While Athenian democracy was remarkable for its inclusivity, it had limitations. Only a small fraction of the total population could participate, and political offices were restricted to citizen males. Additionally, decisions were often influenced by persuasive speakers, leading to potential manipulation.
Overall, democracy in Athens allowed eligible male citizens to actively participate in decision-making through the assembly, engage in debates, and vote on important matters. This system aimed to distribute political power among the citizens, ensuring their voices were heard and decisions were made collectively.