Transcript 12_SSWH0301H_Democracy in Greece

Democracy in
Greece and Rome
©2012, TESCCC
What is government?
The form or system of rule by which a
state, community, etc., is governed.
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Some types of government
Fascist – all institutions,
including religion and
the family, are
secondary to the State
Nazi Germany
Cuba
North Korea
Constitutional Republic – the
people make their decisions
through representatives
United States of America
France
Constitutional monarchy – head
of state inherits the position, but
with limited power, and people
are guaranteed basic rights
The United Kingdom
Kingdom of Norway
Kingdom of Jordan
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Spectrum of Government
Tyranny (Nazi
Germany, Stalin’s
Soviet Union, etc).
Traditional
monarchy (Louis
XIV’s France)
Oligarchy (early
post-communist
Russia)
Socialist democracy
(Modern Sweden)
Constitutional monarchy
(Modern England)
Representative
democracy/republic
(USA)
Pure democracy (ancient
Athens)
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Authoritarian
(Government exercises extreme
control over citizens in a rigid
hierarchy.)
More power for government
Moderate
(Everyone has some say,
even if it’s limited; certain
amount of hierarchy.)
Less power for government
Anarchy
(No one has any power
over anyone else; all
are completely equal.)
Some thoughts on government
Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary
evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one. – Thomas
Paine
Which is the best government? That which teaches us
to govern ourselves. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
[A] government big enough to give you everything you
want is a government big enough to take from you
everything you have. – Benjamin Franklin
The patriot must always be prepared to defend his
country from his government. – Edward Abbey
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The Greek Polis (City State)
The polis was the town and the
surrounding area.
 Where the community of people came
together to rule themselves; having a
common goal and identity.
 Acropolis: Usually the fortified center of
the town, also used for meetings

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The Greek Polis (City State)
Citizen with Political Rights =
males over 21
 Citizens w/ no Political Rights =
Females & Children
 Non-Citizens = Slaves
 Direct Democracy: All citizens
vote on all decisions made by the
government.

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Rights
Right to participate in the
elections of officials Voting
Responsibilities
Military service to protect the
community
The polis supports you if you You support the polis when it
deal with outsiders
makes a decision you do
not agree with. Follow or
obey laws.
To be tried by a jury of your
peers
To serve on a jury.
Speaking in public places
Pay taxes
©2012, TESCCC
Tyranny and Tyrants

The Authoritative Rule of an individual
(above the law)
 Many times, they are given power in a
time of crisis and choose to keep it in
times of peace.
 Develop programs such as building
monuments and public buildings to
keep the people happy.
 The Greeks value the rule of law and
would eventually overthrow the tyrants.
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Oligarchy

Oligarchies are the rule by a few.
– Usually the aristocrats (Wealthy landowners)
– Sometimes military leaders (modern)

Athens
– The Archons: board of 9 Rulers
– The Assembly of citizens held few powers
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Separation of Power in the United States
Legislative
Executive
Makes the Law
Enforces the
Law
Judicial
Interprets the Law
Approves Treaties Creates Treaties
Controls Treasury Controls Military
Declares laws
unconstitutional
Elected 6/2 years
Indirectly elected;
Selected for life
(creates
stability)
Elected 4 years
Elected by the People
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Separation of Power
in Ancient Greece
The Assembly of
Citizens
Voted on laws
The Generals
(Elected positions)
Carried out the will
of the assembly
Elected public
officials
Daily operations of
the Government
Foreign Policy (War)
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Is a democratic government
existing to distribute the wealth
more evenly to all citizens?
Many Greek Reformers (and later
governments from around the world)
seek to distribute the wealth (land)
by taking from the owners and giving
it to the peasants.
 Do you think this is fair?

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Lesson on Government

Here’s the question and you tell me
how this would work.
–You can have only 1
thing to eat every day for
the next month. What
will it be?
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How would each decide?
Direct democracy
 Representative democracy?
 Aristocracy?
 Oligarchy?
 Monarchy?
 Tyrant?

©2012, TESCCC
What are the
advantages/disadvantages?
Direct democracy – how would it be
decided?
 Representative democracy?
 Aristocracy?
 Oligarchy?
 Monarchy?
 Tyrant?

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Roman Law

Patricians: Aristocratic, wealthy, landowning families of Rome; could serve in
government positions

Plebeians: Lower class of Romans who
still enjoyed the rights of citizenship.
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Government Positions:





Chief Executive Officials
2 Consuls: Elected annually to run the
govt. and lead the army
Praetors: High Judge position to carry
out Roman Law
Tribunes of the Plebs: Evolved later in the
Roman Republic to represent the needs
of the lower classes (Plebeians) to the
Consuls and Senate
Dictator: Appointed in time of crisis for 1
year.
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Assemblies

Senate: 300 land owning men to give
guidance to the Consuls. Later they made
the laws; served for life; descended from
the original families.
 Centuriate Assembly: Based on wealth
but represented all classes; elected the
Consuls and Praetors
 Council of the Plebs: Lower classes split
from the Centuriate Assembly to form this
council. Selected Tribunes to protect
their rights before the Patrician led
councils; veto power (“I Forbid”) over
some laws.
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The Spartacus Slave Revolt

The Gladiator Spartacus creates an army
of runaway slaves, (gathering more as the
movement continued) and led the slaves
of Rome to revolt against the Roman
ruling class in an attempt to flee Italy and
seek sanctuary in Africa.
 Rome turns to Crassus to be the dictator
to put down the revolt. The slave army
was finally conquered but starting at this
point, the representative government of
the Romans is subverted to the role of the
dictator or Emperor.
©2012, TESCCC
To sum it up …

The Greeks and the Romans developed
and practiced the early forms of
democracy.
 Both of these Nations could not make
democracy last and were ruled by
emperors.
 The lasting influence is the idea of
citizenship and that people can and
should be responsible for the
government that has authority over
them.
©2012, TESCCC