HIST 150 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Athenian Democracy, Liberal Democracy, Authoritarianism
Document Summary
Democracy: taken from demos (the people) and kratos (authority) Higher officials chosen by lot, not elected. These categories largely abandoned in favour of pure economic measures. Majority principle decisions can be made by the people even with divisions. Similarities and differences btwn states allow us to understand and generalize politics. By combining indicators of political and economic development, analysts can group states into 3 basic worlds , referred to as first, second, and third worlds. Almost every govt in the world claims to be democratic even if they aren"t. Athenian democracy (5th c. bc) people ruled through popular assemblies. Modern democracy - tries to reconcile opposing interests, not impose one interest. Most political scientists feel that athenian democracy could never work today. Representatives can help make legislation winning election gives legitimacy. Winston churchill called democracy the least worst system of government . Almost all democracies have citizens" rights spelled out in the constitution.
