Democracy (People’s Power) -What is it? -Where did it begin? -How did it developed? -Who was involved? -Why is it important?
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