Great observation, I cannot recall where I read it at the moment, but I remember reading someone arguing precisely a difference in the individuals relationship

Great observation, I cannot recall where I read it at the moment, but I remember reading someone arguing precisely a difference in the individuals relationship to the state is why Athenian democracy seemed to succeed in areas that modern democracy seems to fail. From what I understand, to be an Athenian participating in statecraft meant you’d be willing to go so far as to more or less die for the polis and would always put the needs of the polis before your own. There are a couple of anecdotes about prominent Athenians sacrificing their own gain for the sake of the betterment of Athens. Contrarily, our times are so staunchly individualist I expect that the majority of politicians are not willing to sacrifice much and see their role as little more than a professional occupation—not as an existential gamble for the sake of their constituents.