America: The Modern Day Athens Essay, Research Paper
America: The Modern Day Athens
“We do not copy our Ancestors, but are an example to them. It is true we
are called a Democracy, for the administration is in the hands of the many and
not in the few. ” This is the foundation for which democracy is ruled. Without
this democracy does not exist. In this essay there will be comparisons of
Athenian democracy and our modern day democracy
Greece, in ancient times, was not a united land. There existed many little
provinces of control, called city-states. Two examples of the more powerful and
lasting city-states were Sparta and Athens. Sparta, whose people lived an
austere and militaristic form of life, based its government on the needs of the
army which things centered around this.
Athens, another powerful city-state, developed a more balanced life for its
citizens. Central to this development was the rise of democracy. Called the
“cradle of democracy,” Athens developed a direct democracy. Those citizens that
were eligible could speak at forums and vote on issues. These people were known
as the Council of 500; they were chosen annually. To be elected they had to be
at least 25 years of age and a citizen. They directly had a voice. This is why
Athens is an example of a direct democracy. A point should be made here that
Athens, for all its noble ideas about men being able to govern themselves,
excluded most of the people that lived within its cities walls. Women, for
example had no say in government. They were subjected to running the homes,
raising children, and tending to the needs of their husbands. Slavery, which
existed in Athens, also caused a blot on the no
Slaves had no vote, no participation in government, and no recourse from a cruel
master.
Athenian government relied upon direct democracy to raise taxes, make laws,
and gather armed forces when necessary.
The American experiment in democracy differs significantly from the
Athenian form of government. America utilizes a representative form of
democracy. Because of the huge population, when compared to Athens, a direct
democracy is impractical. Americans vote for representatives to the Legislative
and Executive branches of government. It is hoped by the citizen that the
representatives that are elected protect their constituents interests.
There are, however, some dark spots on our form of government. Like the
Athenians, America did not grant slaves the right to vote. It took a Civil War
that nearly destroyed our nation before slavery was abolished and that portion
of the population could have a say in our government. Additionally, women, who
like Athens had no say in elections, were very lately in our history given
voting power after a long struggle. The “Suffragettes” finally achieved their
goal in the early nineteenth century by winning the right to vote.
Democracy, a noble idea, is based in the belief that people can govern
themselves without a monarchy or ruling class. People can choose, and by that
power of choice, decide the direction and quality of their lives. Athenian
democracy, destroyed before it had time to flourish, planted this notion in
mankind. American democracy extended their ideas and has since kept on refining
the notion that all men are created equal and should have a voice in their
destiny.