Citizens had a very significant job to fill, so diligent workers should have been participants. Athens was smart, but Rome had a slightly different approach. Around 500 BCE, two strong states created forms of citizenship. While Athens had no care whether a citizen was an elite or not, Rome focused on class and physique, all prime values. Citizenship will always be an important way to show status, and both Athens and Rome showed strong points. Athens had a better system of citizenship because all classes above slaves could become citizens, ostracism got rid of a potential over-thrower, and everything was decided by-lot. Athens had a better system of citizenship because all social classes of free men could become citizens. The Old Oligarch states that “It is the poor which mans the fleet and has brought Athens her power (Doc. B).” Athens let all social classes receive citizenship having put all the free men through a great …show more content…
This may sound a bit evil according to Diodorus Siculus, “...and the man who got the largest number if ostraka was to go into exile from his nature land (Doc. D).” The reasoning for this law is that each citizen’s opinionated decision for the man with the “greatest power to destroy the democracy (Doc. D)” would be forced to leave Athens. This is a helpful policy because the state would never be filled with too much worry of an insurgent to make it their own. On the opposing side, Rome used censorship to control citizenship. Peter Walsh explains this way of judging, “...the censors not only counted Rome’s citizens, but ranked them into distinct social classes (Doc. E).” This harsh way of authority caused people to be demoted because of factors concerning wealth and fitness. Athens had a better way of citizenship because the leaders didn’t pay attention to features such as marital status and level of taxation like Rome
In reference to Rome, Athens’s citizenship system was less accepting by only allowing free, native born males to nationalize. While this aspect was considered a drawback by the Romans, truthfully it is actually a major tradeoff by Athens. As shown in Document A, Rome was more lenient to upcoming citizens. Although this adds to the power and development of the empire, it also creates holes in its security. Citizens with non-native origins are free to express their hatred and idea of change to the Roman government, by creating a negative cultural diffusion, and contributing to the downfall of Rome. On the other hand, Athens was free from any possible revolts and riots from any non-native Athenians.
In comparing the Ancient Athenian system of government, and the Modern Day American political system, there are many similarities. In Ancient Athens, democracy was developed in response to a long history of oppressive rulers who used their position of power for their own benefit. Ancient Athenians sought a government where all citizens were considered equal under the eyes of the law, and all had a fair say in the running of their country. Following a series
The summer of 1964, President Lyndon Baines Johnson finally decided to sign the Civil Rights Act. This bill permitted people of all races and skin tones to be free from segregation. It promised the extension on voting rights, stronger equal employment opportunities, and guaranteed all Americans the right to use public facilities such as schools, restaurants and swimming pools (Politics or Principle 405). Many Americans questioned if the true decision behind President Johnson signing the civil rights act of 1964 was political or principle. I strongly believe Johnson signed it in a principle matter due to seeing different perspectives in living with prejudice, he would do anything to get the bill signed and he was finally free from the South's persuasive bonds.
The effects of this go far beyond the imbalance of military power between Athens and her tributaries, however. The Old Oligarch lists four main areas where the existence of the Empire benefits the common people of Athens, thus giving impetus to radicalize democracy and justify the expansion and strengthening of the Empire, and giving is reason to find an ongoing justification for its existence. The first is the building of the disproportionately large Athenian navy. Second is the overall flattening of the Athenian social pyramid, raising the relative status of the lowest classes of society, and exemplified by the way that Athens becomes a magnet for aliens to live and work, and gives unusual freedom and opportunity to slaves. Third is that the allies are compelled to have their court cases tried in Athenian courts, bringing both prestige and financial reward to Athens. Finally, the centralizing effect of these things, and the obvious maritime nature of the Empire, make Athens a trading center, m...
...proud rationalization of its superiority. Balancing security, happiness, and values, Athens is a shining example of freedom, opportunity and justice. It is a nation that both builds itself on and produces uniquely spirited citizens. The sentiments of Pericles’ truly are reminiscent of modern day American Exceptionalism. “I doubt if the world can produce a man who, where he has only himself to depend upon, is equal to so many emergencies, and graced by so happy a versatility, as the Athenian.” (2.41.1).
In the fifth-century BC, Athens emerged as one of the most advanced state or polis in all of Greece. This formation of Athenian ‘democracy’ holds the main principle that citizens should enjoy political equality in order to be free to rule and be ruled in turn. The word ‘democracy’ originates from the Greek words demos (meaning people) and kratos (meaning power) therefore demokratia means “the power of the people.” The famous funeral speech of Pericles states that “Our constitution is called democracy because power is in the hands not of a minority but of the whole people.” However, only citizens (free adult men of Athenian descent) could participate in political matters. Women and slaves held no political rights, although they were essential in order to free up time for the citizens to participate in the matters of the state. The development of Athenian democracy has been fundamental for the basis of modern political thinking, although many in modern society UK would be sceptical to call it a democracy. Plato and Aristotle in The Republic and The Politics respectively were critical of the Athenian democracy, by examining the culture and ideology present the limitations and possible downfalls of a democratic way of life. Within this essay I will outline these limitations and evaluate their validity.
The Laws are to be accepted either unconditionally or not at all. If one is dissatisfied with the Laws and the way Athens is run, one can either “persuade [the Laws] as to the nature of justice” (Crito, 51c), obey its orders or migrate to wherever he pleases upon reaching adulthood (Crito, 51d), one is seen as a rational being capable of thinking and making independent decisions. Since opportunities to leave the jurisdiction of Athens’ Laws or reform the Laws are provided, choosing to stay without advocating for improvement in the Laws is an active submission to the social contract and agreement to obey the commands of the Laws unconditionally. Socrates has “dwelt [in Athens] most consistently of all Athenians”, showed “no desire to know another city or other laws” (Crito, 52b) and has started a family in Athens (Crito, 52c). One would not live all his life and start a family in an unfavourable environment as a city’s Laws have significant implications on the lives of the person and his family. Even the “lame or the blind or other handicapped people” have been away from Athens longer than Socrates (Crito, 53a), showing that it is possible for Socrates to migrate and he made the conscious decision to live in Athens.
Athenian democracy includes participation of all adult, free, male, citizen, made possible for all. If at the beginning and during the thriving period of the Athens democracy the occupations of a state position was considered to be an worthy duty for the citizens, the taking in of ...
The Roman Republic had a better system of citizenship for three reasons. First Rome allowed more diversity. Second, the citizens enjoy better rights. Third Rome was all around kinder to it’a citizens. For a bit of background Rome’s citizenship system allows for all free native born peoples to become citizens this includes men, women, children, and children of free slaves. Rome also allowed peoples of these categories in conquered territories to become citizens. However Rome did not allow slaves or freed slaves to become citizens. Athens on the other hand allowed for free adult males to become citizens additionally every adult male who wanted citizenship had to also be born in Athens, complete the education, and serve two years in the military.
On which they would scratch the name of the person that represented a threat.”(Doc E)This demonstrates why Athens was a democratic society since not only did civilians get to decide on who is in office and who is not. Furthermore, because democracy means rule by the people, and male citizens of ancient Athens voted laws and officials into place.(doc c) This exemplifies how salient the majority's opinion was instead of opinions of just a few rich men .In addition, Athens “....constitution favors many instead of few.”(doc a) Also Athenians had the freedom to do whatever they desire a long as they did not disrupt any other citizen or violate a law. “The freedom which we enjoy in our governments also to our ordinary life…...we do not feel called upon to be angry with our neighbor for doing what he likes. But all this ease in our private life does not make us lawless as citizens.”(doc A) Therefore, this exhibits that this is a democratic government because this is a characteristic that can be seen in democratic governments today. To summarize why Athens was a democracy.Citizens were free to do what makes them jubilant as long as it did not interfere with the laws or fellow citizens. Male citizens could vote and elect the rulers and vote laws into place. These aspects all demonstrate why Athens
Between the years of 508 BCE and 322 CE, Greece flourished under democracy. However, some question if the flourishing of Athens is due to the democracy that was in place as opposed to other factors relevant in building a successful community. This investigation will examine the effectiveness of Athenian democracy in Greek society. Relevance of Athenian democracy can be seen in foundation of many democracies found worldwide. In this investigation the right to vote, protection of minorities, use of social class, the structure of democracy and how Greek democracy has influenced the world will be addressed. The place investigated will be Greece, specifically the capitol Athens. The effectiveness of Athenian democracy can be seen in social structure, protection of minorities, and right to vote, as well as its structure and influence of other countries around the world.
...very day citizens. This is drastically different from the means currently used in the United States. Lastly, the fact that only male citizens were allowed to participate in government throughout the duration of the democratic existence in Athens.
“The polis itself became a major economic factor in terms of public employment on juries or in large public building projects, like Acropolis, or the famous Athenian navy ( Augustana university, n.d.)” Democracy provided significant benefits in an economically sense as office holders, jurymen members and administrative council of 500 as people where paid for their time served (Cartledge, 2011). “Power to the people, all the people, especially the poor majority, remained the guiding principle of Athenian democracy (Cartledge, 2011).” This government also paid the citizens to attend assembly, this enabled the poor to be able to attend the assembly (Blackwell, 2003). Democracy also contributed to a stronger army and navy” it was evident that the Athenian army and navy were more powerful because their men believed they were fighting for their own democracy and for their own freedom” ( Augustana university, n.d.). Athens this evidence clearly establishes that democracy gave many Athenian citizens employment and it also lead to victory in the wars. This system of government was a revolutionary idea, overall it provided a just government and formed a system were the whole citizen body can actively participate in the political system. This lead to the economic and political success of the democratic system in Athens that has since developed
How did people in Athens and Sparta obtain the right to participate in public life and make decisions affecting the community?
Ancient Greece was made up of individual city states, known as a Polis, which relied heavily on citizen participation in politics. The idea of self-rule was an entirely new way of governing. Citizenship was unheard of at the time. Although still considered citizens not everybody was allowed to participate. In Athens only adult males who had military training were allowed to vote. The majority of the population, namely slaves, children, metics (free noncitizens) and women were excluded from participation in politics. “[Metics] and women were not citizens and did not enjoy any of the privileges of citizenship.”(Sayre, 137) Athenian citizens had to be descended from citizens, excluding the children of Athenian men and foreign women. Individuals could be granted citizenship in to Athens by the assembly this was usually as a reward for some service to the state. Ancient Greece paved the way for the representative democratic style of government that is practiced by many countries today. Much like how voting rights started out in America, originally only the wealthy land owners were allowed to vote and call themselves citizens, but soon all men were allowed to have a vote and a voice in their states politics. Essentially the Greeks were the first to introduce citizen rights and freedom similar to what’s seen today.