Transcript found of gov part1

Democracy
Greece and Roman Roots
Definition
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Democracy
derives from the
ancient Greek,
“demokratia”:
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demos = the
people
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kratien = to
rule
Definition
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Other types of government derived from
Greek base:
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Aristocracy: Rule by the best
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Monarchy: Rule by one person
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Oligarchy: Rule by the wealthy
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Timocracy: Rule by the honorable
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Tyranny:
Rule by the rulers, for the
rulers
Ancient Greece
a collection of city-states
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Meant to distinguish the idea that it is the
people collectively, not any class, family, or
group that rules
The Nature of Athenian Democracy
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As democracy, Athens ruled by the people, but
not all people able to take part in government;
only about 10 percent of total population
Only free male Athenians over age 20 who had
completed military training allowed to vote
Women, immigrants, children, slaves had no role in
government
Direct Democracy
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Citizens making policy and law decisions in
person
Practiced by the Athenians
Height of Democracy
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Three Main Bodies
Athenian democracy consisted
of three main bodies—
• Assembly
• Council of 500
• Courts
Council of 500
•Created by Cleisthenes
•Wrote laws to be voted on by full
assembly
Assembly
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Included everyone eligible to serve
in government
All present voted on laws, all
important decisions
Called direct democracy
Courts
•Complex series of courts
•Members could number up to 6,000
•Chosen from the assembly
•Heard trials, sentenced criminals
Roman Republic
Roman Republic
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The Roman government was a republic.
The republic was established in 509 B.C.
and lasted nearly 500 years.
Only men with money and property could
vote.
Representative democracy
How was the Roman
government organized?
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Ancient Rome developed a form of government that
included elements of each of the governments from
Ancient Greece.
The Roman Republic had:
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individuals with significant power (similar to a
monarchy)
leaders selected from the wealthiest families (similar to
an aristocracy or oligarchy)
elected officials similar to a democracy
Between these ruling groups there was a system of checks
and balances so that no individual could grow too powerful.
From a Republic to an Empire
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The Roman Republic could not solve increasing
problems of corruption, governing expanding
territories, and jobless masses in the cities.
Julius Caesar was named dictator for life but his
assassination led to a struggle for power. In
31B.C.E. his great nephew eventually gained
andheld power for more than 40 years as
Imperatore (emperor).
The emperor was the supreme authority. But to
rulehis vast empire, he relied on a strong
bureaucracy of public officials.
Questions of Democracy
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How do we know what the people want?
Questions of Democracy
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Why do we think “the People” will make
good political decisions?