3 ms·

Isn't the Greeks way random selection from the citizens (elite) of a city? I don't recall their way being understood as rule by the poor

• tehjoker 7y ago
  What the Greeks actually did and what was understood by contemporary political philosophers could be quite different.
  • anonsivalley652 7y ago
    That's an unknowable and that's throwing around FUD without evidence, based on speculation. There is a bigger problem with unlimited, pay-to-play democracy: corruption. This starts with candidates having to raise vast sums from wealthy donors and a continuing appearance of corruption keeping them happy over the needs of the many. That's a critical flaw, because, for example in the US, many judges, sheriffs, district attorneys (public prosecutors), city council members and state legislators all require raising campaign funds for their elections. It's ridiculous. Here's where the Greeks are known to actually have had something different, but better in this specific regard: "jury duty" for public service. A modern adaptation would work like this (simplified): - everyone with taxed income or profits is assigned to specialties and/or leadership lotteries based on their field and expertise - public jobs are randomly assigned based on expertise - 1 year term limit - fulfilling the term prevents one from being chose for X years (say 15 years, changed based on demand from jobs and supply of eligible) - able to be removed for cause - unlike jury duty, vaccines or "comfort animals," there would be fewer exceptions and deferments (new parent, elder caretaking, disability, etc.)
    • tehjoker 7y ago
      Plato detested democracy, but characterized it as thus. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato%27s_five_regimes https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato%27s_five_regimes