The fifth and fourth century BCE Athenian democracy set the groundwork for many of our modern democratic ideas and systems. When compared to our current government system, it is evident that there are both similarities and contrasts. This essay will compare Athenian democracy to our own government in terms of citizenship and franchise, the system for making laws and who has the authority to do so, the power of the court, judicial review, and methods of restraining the power of public officials.
One similarity between Athenian democracy and our own system is that only citizens have the right to vote or participate in political decision-making. In Athens, all citizens - male and over the age of 18 - were allowed political equality and the freedom
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This was done to ensure that no single person wielded undue influence over the decision-making process. The legislative branch of our modern system, comprised of lawmakers from diverse political parties, makes laws. The representatives make the final decision on any proposed laws, and this method of representation ensures that no one has excessive influence over the process. Both Athens' and our government's judicial systems are comparable in that jurisprudence serves as the foundation for administering justice. In Athens, courts were also used to clarify the meaning of laws passed by the Assembly and to provide justice in cases of wrongdoing. Similarly, in our country, the court is in charge of both interpreting laws and dispensing justice.
In terms of judicial review, both Athens and our government empower courts or tribunals to determine whether laws are in accordance with fundamental rights and principles. In Athenian democracy, courts offered scrutiny over magistrates' broader obligations, protecting against the arbitrary exercise of official authorities. The Supreme Court and other courts in our country are in charge of determining the legality of