Impact Of Classical Greek Democracy

Introduction

Classical Greek democracy, which was founded in Athens in the fifth century BCE, has had an unquestionably profound impact on our modern society. Its illustrious legacy may still be seen in the present democratic ideas and institutions that have shaped American democracy. In fact, “the ideas and practices that led to the development of the American democratic republic after 1776 owe a debt to the ancient civilization of Greece” (Tanakidis, 2021).

For instance, a representative government was one of the innovative aspects of classical Greek democracy. Citizens are elected to represent the public in this form of government by making choices and debating significant issues. The Council of 500, which was in charge of formulating new laws and regulations that the assembly would subsequently vote on, is where the idea of a representative democracy first emerged in classical

Aristotle, or possibly one of his students, is credited with writing the constitution of ancient Athens. It contained a list of the laws that both the Athenians and the surrounding city-states observed. For residents to live by, this ancient literature established a clear norm. The U.S. Constitution, which was drafted in 1787, is this country's contemporary equivalent.

The notion of political equality, or the notion that every citizen should have a voice, is another fundamental tenet of classical Greek democracy that impacted modern democracy. Even while prejudice was still pervasive in ancient Greece, particularly if you were a woman or a slave, this idea was revolutionary. The assembly, which was open to all adult male citizens, put this principle into practice by convening meetings where laws could be discussed and decided. This value is mirrored in American law through the Constitution, which upholds the freedoms of expression, assembly, and