Lessons of Athenian Democracy
Editor's Introduction
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12377217 |
|---|---|
| Authors | B Grofman (0000-0002-2801-3351, University of California, Irvine, corresponding author) |
| Year | 1993 |
| Volume | 26 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 471-474 |
| Publication date | 1993-09-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | PS Political Science & Politics (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1049-0965 • E-ISSN: 1537-5935 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.2307/419984 |
| OpenAlex | W2322149754 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 32 |
First, the good news: 1992-93 is the 2500th anniversary of the birth of democracy. It was in 507-508 B.C. that the reforms of Cleisthenes took place in Athens. In a world seemingly devoid of much to cheer about, here's an excuse to celebrate. Now, for the quibbles. If Cleisthenes is so important, why have I never heard of him? Moreover, why should I celebrate Athenian democracy when I know from both Madison and Hamilton in the Federalist Papers that it was really mob rule, an example to be avoided at all costs in shaping a constitution for a republic in search of stability and good government? Hasn't Thucydides taught us that the fickleness of the Athenian populace led to repeated Athenian military disasters after the death of Pericles, the Athenian “first citizen” whom Thucydides sees as having ruled over Athens while permitting the masses the illusion that they were in control? Wasn't it an Athenian people's jury that forced the world's greatest philosopher to drink hemlock? Perhaps even more importantly, isn't it (politically) incorrect to call Athens a democracy? How can a militaristic society built on the backs of slaves and the revenues of imperialism, in which women couldn't own property or participate in politics, ever be something to celebrate
Constitution · Democracy · Excuse · Federalist · Jury · Militarism · Political science · Politics · Economic Theory and Institutions · History · Law · Political Theory and Influence
The Origins of Democratic Thinking
Democracy and Its Critics
From Popular Sovereignty to the Sovereignty of Law
The Demes of Attica, 508/7 -ca. 250 B.C
The Tragedy of Political Theory
Law, Sexuality, and Society
Democracy and Participation in Athens
Realism Ancient and Modern
Democracy Ancient and Modern
Democracy and Classical Greece
The Greek Discovery of Politics
The Greek Discovery of Politics
The Political Organization of Attica
The Political Organization of Attica. A Study of the Demes, Trittyes, and Phylai, and Their Representation in the Athenian Council
Athens from Cleisthenes to Pericles
The Classical Athenian Democracy
Mass and Elite in Democratic Athens
The Origins of Citizenship in Ancient Athens
Class Ideology and Ancient Political Theory
Public Speech and the Power of the People in Democratic Athens
Democracy
Class Ideology and Ancient Political Theory
Rousseau's General Will
Ancient Slavery and Modern Ideology
| Highly cited | No |
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