DEMOCRACY ORIGIN
DEMOCRACY ORIGIN
The most recognized birthplace of democracy is Athens, where it evolved during the classical period.
Direct Democracy:
Athens implemented a system where citizens could directly participate in decision-making. This system was led by:
The Ekklesia (Assembly): Open to all male citizens, this body made major policy decisions.
The Boule (Council): A smaller body that prepared issues for discussion in the Ekklesia.
The Dikasteria (Courts): Citizens served as jurors to enforce laws.
Key Figures:
Solon (6th Century BCE): Reformed Athens' laws, laying groundwork for greater citizen involvement.
Cleisthenes (508 BCE): Often called the "Father of Democracy," he reorganized Athens' political structure to empower more citizens.
Pericles (5th Century BCE): Expanded democratic participation and oversaw Athens’ golden age.
3. Limitations of Athenian Democracy
Exclusion: Only free adult male citizens could participate; women, slaves, and non-citizens were excluded.
Direct Participation: Unlike modern representative democracies, Athens required citizens to vote directly on laws and policies.
4. Roman Influence
The Roman Republic (509–27 BCE): Though not a democracy, the Roman Republic incorporated elements of shared governance through its
Senate and assemblies. These structures influenced later Western democratic ideas.
After the fall of ancient democracies, the concept was revitalized much later, particularly during:
The Magna Carta (1215): A step toward limiting monarchical power in England.
The Age of Enlightenment (17th–18th Century): Thinkers like John Locke and Montesquieu developed ideas about liberty, equality, and
separation of powers.
American Revolution (1776) & French Revolution (1789): Established modern democratic principles and inspired global movements.
Thus, democracy as a system originated in Ancient Greece but has evolved significantly, influenced by various cultures, historical events, and
philosophical advancements over time.