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What is known about democracy in Greece?
Athenian democracy developed around the fifth century B.C.E. The Greek idea of democracy was different from present-day democracy because, in Athens, all adult citizens were required to take an active part in the government. This form of government is called direct democracy.
How did democracy originate?
Origins. The term democracy first appeared in ancient Greek political and philosophical thought in the city-state of Athens during classical antiquity. All eligible citizens were allowed to speak and vote in the assembly, which set the laws of the city state.
What is democracy meant to the Greeks?
Democracy is a system of government in which power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or through freely elected representatives. The term is derived from the Greek ‘demokratia,’ which was coined in the 5th century BCE to denote the political systems of some Greek city-states, notably Athens.
What was a problem of Greek democracy?
Problems arose when aristocrats become jealous of one another and rivalries ensued under the early stages of Athenian democracy. The result of this jealousy was the establishment of a code written by the appointed ruler Draco. This code of laws promoted stability and equity.
How did the Greeks contribute to democracy?
The most important way in which the greeks influenced American democracy was by allowing citizens to participate in government. All members of society both rich and poor except for women were able to participate in government. Ancient Greece was a model for the U.S. government, but the founders left a few things out.
What are the Greek roots of democracy?
The traditional etymology for democracy suggests that it derives from two Greek words: demos, meaning “the common people”, and kratos , meaning “rule”.