Athenian Democratic Thoughts

Paper Summary:

Athenians thought their democracy to be based on their unique characteristics of temperance and justice, the core of political virtue. The paper explains that by teaching and continually reinforcing this political virtue they could utilize everyone and confidently make the wisest decisions. It explains how this form of government forced the citizens to act for the common welfare so as to ensure their personal freedom. The Assembly, Council of 500, court system, and military appointments, all reflect these ideologies. Since everyone had political virtue, all were welcomed to participate and advance if they displayed the necessary abilities.

From the Paper:

"In order to fully understand Athenian democracy it is necessary to explore the Athenian tenets and ideologies that ultimately created this government. Athenians believed that: certain human qualities made democracy a more functional solution than other constitutional alternatives; there was a practice that best nurtured these qualities; democratic governments were more likely to make wise decisions than other forms of government; and one factor ensured that citizens would act for the common good. Athenians thought justice and temperance, the human qualities that rendered democracy more practical than other governments, embodied political virtue. The community nurtured this political virtue by teaching and continually reinforcing it in every day life. This established democracy made wise decisions because it believed that everyone had political virtue and so utilized everyone when legislating. Athenians would act for the common good solely to ensure that they retained their personal freedom. Consequently, the Athenian democracy reflected their ideologies in its institutions and practices, namely in the Assembly, the Council of 500, the court system, and the appointment of military generals."

More papers on Athenian Democratic Thoughts:

• Essay # 56345 : "The Origins of the Constitution"
• Essay # 69834 : "Democratic Peace Theory"
• Comparison Essay # 143146 : "Comparing Classical Architecture"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: