The Rise of Democratic IdeasThe Rise of Democratic Ideas

Preview of Main IdeasPreview of Main Ideas

• The Need for Government– List 5 ways government is not

involved in your life– Is government really necessary?– Classroom Constitution

• The Need for Government– List 5 ways government is not

involved in your life– Is government really necessary?– Classroom Constitution

How Did Modern Government Begin?How Did Modern Government Begin?

• Athens builds a limited democracy– The Role of Geography

• Athens builds a limited democracy– The Role of Geography

How Did Modern Government Begin?How Did Modern Government Begin?

• City-states each had it’s own government– Monarchy– Aristocracy; oligarchy– Democracy

• Athens– Citizen participation (limited citizenship)– 600 BCE suffered severe economic problems

• Poor farmers pledged crops, then land, then themselves into slavery to pay debts

• City-states each had it’s own government– Monarchy– Aristocracy; oligarchy– Democracy

• Athens– Citizen participation (limited citizenship)– 600 BCE suffered severe economic problems

• Poor farmers pledged crops, then land, then themselves into slavery to pay debts

How Did Modern Government Begin?How Did Modern Government Begin?

• Solon– 594 BCE; outlawed slavery and canceled the farmers’ debt– Established four classes of citizenship based on wealth– Created a new Council of Four Hundred– Introduced the concept of redress of grievances by the government by any

citizen against a wrongdoer

• Cleisthenes– 508 BCE– Balance of power between rich and poor in the Council– Increased power of the Assembly by allowing all citizens to submit laws for

debate and passage– Created the Council of Five Hundred

• Members chosen at random from among the citizens (still limited)

• Pericles– Increased the number of paid public officials and paid jurors

• More citizens could participate

– Direct democracy

• Solon– 594 BCE; outlawed slavery and canceled the farmers’ debt– Established four classes of citizenship based on wealth– Created a new Council of Four Hundred– Introduced the concept of redress of grievances by the government by any

citizen against a wrongdoer

• Cleisthenes– 508 BCE– Balance of power between rich and poor in the Council– Increased power of the Assembly by allowing all citizens to submit laws for

debate and passage– Created the Council of Five Hundred

• Members chosen at random from among the citizens (still limited)

• Pericles– Increased the number of paid public officials and paid jurors

• More citizens could participate

– Direct democracy

How Did Modern Government Begin?How Did Modern Government Begin?

• War between Athens and Sparta interrupted democracy; Macedonia conquered weakened states and created dictatorships (tyrants)

• War between Athens and Sparta interrupted democracy; Macedonia conquered weakened states and created dictatorships (tyrants)

Greek Leader Role in Developing Democracy

Solon: 594 B.C.

Cleistenes: 508 B.C.

Pericles: 461-429 B.C.

Democratic changes

Greek PhilosophyGreek Philosopher

Contribution to Political Thought

Socrates Socratic Method-Question everything! Use logic and reason to understand the rules of nature

Plato The RepublicSociety is ultimately good-justTyrants must be limited. The Best leaders are those that rule because they are wise (not rich). A Philosopher-king/queen should rule, they are more likely to act Justly.

Aristotle Politics and EthicsFounded the University; teacher of Alexander the GreatUsed logic and reason “Man is a political animal…”--lives in a societyJustice is law--Law is virtue--virtue is obedience to the lawTyrants act against society and law

The Legacy of Greece

• Lasting standards in government and philosophy– Reason and intelligence

• Natural law

– Direct democracy: Citizens should participate in government by voting, debating in public, making laws, serving on juries, and holding office.

– Democracy can be protected by having separate branches of government

Rome develops a Republic

• 1000-500 B.C. – Romans (Latin) battled the Greeks– Romans were the victors

• 600 B.C.– Monarchy

• 509 B.C.– Aristocracy overthrows the kings– New government is a Republic

• Power rests with citizens who elect leaders to make government decisions

– Struggle for power• Patricians: aristocratic landowners• Plebeians: common farmers, artisans, and merchants• The Twelve Tables

Roman Republic

• Republican government– Separate branches (like the Greeks)

• Two consuls• Senate (patricians)• Two assemblies (plebeians)• In crisis: Dictatorship (6 months)

Expansion of the Roman Empire

Roman Republic

• Roman law– A system of laws that could be applied throughout the empire

• Based on principles of reason and justice– Should protect citizens and their property

– Important principles• All citizens had the right to equal treatment under the law• A person was considered innocent until proven guilty• Burden of proof rests with the accuser• Any law that seemed unreasonable or unfair could be set aside

• Written legal code– Twelve tables– Justinian code

• The code: 5,000 Roman laws• The Digest: summary of legal opinions• The institutes: a textbook for law students• The Novallae: laws passed after 534 CE

• Rule of law– “a government of laws, not of men”

• Even rulers and other powerful persons could be held accountable for their actions

Legacy of Rome

• Idea of Republic• Individual is a citizen in a state

rather than the subject of a ruler (adopted from the Greeks)

• Written legal code applied equally and impartially to all citizens

Greece and Rome