Political Science 1020E Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Nationstates, Athenian Democracy, The Few
5 Dec 2014
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Who should have political power; on what basis. The power to issue and enforce binding commands should political power be assigned. Origins of democracy: ancient athens 508-322 bc, decisions made by majority vote in an assembly of all citizens - everybody participates, open debate, subsidized participation, and public spirited citizens (polites) How democratic was athenian democracy: more democratic than ours - everyone had a chance of an effective say in the decision making process. Less democratic than ours - it excluded most of the people that lived in the territory; women should have a vote; freedoms connected with democracy were absent in ancient athens. Freedom of speech; independent media - independent of the government; the media can give word on government decisions. Freedom of association - we should be able to get together with all other types of people. Independent judges - should be able to make decisions that appeal to the constitution.
