1. The Greek Roots of Democracy
Chapter 1
Section 1

2. Objectives How democracy developed in the Greek city-state of Athens
How Greek philosophers viewed reason, democracy, tyranny, and rule of law

3. City-States 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

4. Greece

5. Forms of Government 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

6. Spartan Government Two kings
Council of elders who advised the monarchs

7. Athens
Idea of democracy first took root in Athens

8. Democracy is government by the people

9. THE BIG QUESTION: WHAT CAUSED DEMOCRACY TO FIRST TAKE ROOT IN ATHENS??

10. Forms of Government 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

11. Cleisthenes 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

12. Cleisthenes

13. Pericles 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

14. Pericles
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)

15. Pericles

16. Greek Philosophers Contribute to the Rise of Democracy

17. What is a philosopher?

18. Philosopher
Person who seeks wisdom or enlightenment

19. Socrates 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)

20. Socrates

21. Plato 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?)

22. Plato
ANTI-DEMOCRATIC!!!

23. Aristotle 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)

24. Aristotle 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

25. Aristotle

26. Summary of Greek Philosophers
Socrates – Favored democracy
Plato – Rejected democracy
Aristotle – Favored constitutional government and the rule of law

27. Powerpoint Questions (11 points)
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?

28. Powerpoint Questions
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)

29. The End