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It's an illusion not unlike religion. The world has never been really governed by the people, and never will be. Athenian voters were, like the article says, "f
by rado 7y ago
It's an illusion not unlike religion. The world has never been really governed by the people, and never will be. Athenian voters were, like the article says, "free males", so about 15%.
- inflatableDodo 7y agoHaving kings putting most things to a vote of representatives of sub groups, as per the viking tradition, is actually the main lineage of modern state democracies, however.
- dingoegret 7y agoNor did Greek citizens even govern themselves. They could vote how much apples should be priced at in the city and who to kick out out of the city. But they couldn't vote on war or major trade or religion or anything of importance.
- agumonkey 7y agoSome times I even question the emotional values of democracy compared to monarchy. Monarchy .. is probably too easy to derail into half-dictature. But I'm ready to bet 10$ that in normal cases the people have a better sense of purpose.
- krapp 7y ago> Monarchy .. is probably too easy to derail into half-dictature. Monarchy, where the monarch has actual political power, is a form of dictatorship. > But I'm ready to bet 10$ that in normal cases the people have a better sense of purpose. Well, yes, such people do have a "better sense of purpose," in that they lack the freedom to choose a purpose other than serving the aristocracy. Peasants during the French Revolution doubtless knew what their purpose was in no uncertain terms.