Transcript The Greek Roots of Democracy

The Greek Roots of Democracy
Chapter 1
Section 1
Objectives
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How democracy developed in the Greek
city-state of Athens
How Greek philosophers viewed reason,
democracy, tyranny, and rule of law
City-States
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Greeks built small, independent city-states
City-state = a political unit consisting of a
city and surrounding lands
Most influential city-states were Athens and
Sparta
Sparta stressed stern discipline-strong
military-warriors
Athens glorified the individual and extended
political rights to more citizens
Greece
Forms of Government
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Government started as monarchy in many
city-states
Monarchy = government in which a
king/queen exercises authority
Monarchies turned into into aristocracies
Aristocracy = government run by a small,
often wealthy class of people
Spartan Government
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Two kings
Council of elders who advised the
monarchs
Athens
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Idea of democracy first took root in
Athens
Democracy is government by the
people
THE BIG QUESTION: WHAT
CAUSED DEMOCRACY TO FIRST
TAKE ROOT IN ATHENS??
Forms of Government
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Athenian aristocrats amassed wealth and power
Ordinary people like soldiers and merchants resented
the power of the aristocracy
Unhappiness fueled the rise of tyrants (rulers who
gained power by force)
Tyrants won support from the 1) poor and 2)
merchants
Tyrants passed reforms (changes) that helped poor,
ordinary people
Cleisthenes
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Athenian politician and tyrant
He expanded the role of ordinary citizens in
government and set up a genuine legislature
Legislature = place where laws are made
In a sense, tyrants helped move Athens toward a full
democracy
Cleisthenes
Pericles
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Athenian politician
Believed all male citizens should participate in
government, regardless of social class
Male citizens over 30 served on a jury for one year
Pericles
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In a speech, Pericles praised the Athenian
form of government, stating that power was
in the hands of “not a minority but of the
whole people”
(the whole people share power, not just a
minority of aristocrats)
Pericles
Greek Philosophers Contribute to
the Rise of Democracy
What is a philosopher?
Philosopher
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Person who seeks wisdom or
enlightenment
Socrates
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Long time defender of democracy
Went around town asking Athenian citizens
annoying questions
Socrates argued that the individual has the
responsibility of following the laws of the
state
Put on trial for corruption
Found guilty—death penalty—drank poison
hemlock (poisonous plant)
Socrates
Plato
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Student of Socrates
Plato disagreed with Socrates and rejected
democracy
The state should regulate every aspect of its
citizens’ lives to provide for their best
interests (because government knows what is
YOUR best interest, NOT you, right?)
Plato
ANTIDEMOCRATIC!!!
Aristotle
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Student of Plato
Favored a constitutional government
(government whose powers are expressed
and limited by a constitution)
Favored the rule of law – rules by which we
are governed are 1) known in advance and 2)
created through the democratic process
Rules should not be made up after the fact by
arbitrary decisions or decrees (orders)
Aristotle
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Rulers (e.g., kings, queens) must be subject
to law
All members of society—average citizens and
government officials (senators, judges, the
president) are required to obey the law
“No one is above the law”
This democratic principle lies at the heart of
all modern constitutional governments
Aristotle
Summary of Greek Philosophers
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Socrates – Favored democracy
Plato – Rejected democracy
Aristotle – Favored constitutional
government and the rule of law
Powerpoint Questions (11 points)
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1. Identify the two principle Greek city-states
2. Define city-state.
3. Which city-state seemed to value more individual
rights?
4. What is the type of government in which a
king/queen exercises authority?
5. Define “democracy”.
6. Define “tyrants”
7. What did Pericles believe about democracy?
Powerpoint Questions
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8. According to Socrates, what was the responsibility
of each individual?
9. What did Plato believe the state should regulate?
10. What is the democratic principle that lies at the
heart of all modern constitutional governments?
Which philosopher argued this position? (2 points)
The End