Democracy

Edit Definition

Definition

There is no definition for yet, but you can help and write a new definition.

Donate and help us!

We're a non-profit organisation and we need your help! This website costs money and research material isn't cheap either. We are supported only by our donors. Please consider donating; even small amounts help. Thank you!

Peer Review

Are you qualified to peer review ancient history information? Apply now and help provide quality ancient history information on the web!

Articles

Article

The instrumental value of others and institutional change: An Athenian case study

by Josiah Ober, Stanford University
published on 07 November 2011
A primary motive for certain Athenian rule changes in the direction of increased legal access and impartiality in the fourth century B.C. was Athenian awareness of the increased instrumental value of foreigners. New Athenian rules were aimed at persuading foreigners to do business in Athens. Foreigners gained greater access to some Athenian institutions... [continue reading]
Article

Socrates and democratic Athens

by Josiah Ober, Stanford University
published on 07 November 2011
Socrates was both a loyal citizen (by his own lights) and a critic of the democratic community’s way of doing things. This led to a crisis in 339 B.C. In order to understand Socrates’ and the Athenian community’s actions (as reported by Plato and Xenophon) it is necessary to understand the historical and legal contexts, the democratic state’s... [continue reading]
Article

Epistemic democracy in classical Athens

by Josiah Ober, Stanford University
published on 07 November 2011
Analysis of democracy in Athens as an “epistemic” (knowledge-based) form of political and social organization. Adapted from Ober, Democracy and Knowledge, chapters 1-4. Jon Elster (ed.), volume on “Collective Wisdom” (to be published in English and French).
Article

The original meaning of democracy: Capacity to do things, not majority rule

by Josiah Ober, Stanford University
published on 07 November 2011
That the original meaning of democracy is “capacity to do things” not “majority rule” emerges from a study of the fifth and fourth century B.C. Greek vocabulary for regime-types. Special attention is given to –kratos root and –arche root terms. Paper delivered at the American Political Science Association meetings, Philadelphia, 2006.
Add Illustration

Illustrations

Speaker's Platform, Athens Assembly, Pynx, Athens

Interesting Pages

You might also find the following pages interesting...

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Recommend Book

Democracy Books

 
More Books

Comments

Please log in or register to post comments. Sadly this is necessary to prevent comment spam. Alternatively, you can use the comments widget below.

Advertisement

Why ads? / Advertise Here
Add Event

Timeline

Visual Timeline
  • 594 BCE - 593 BCE
    In Athens the archon Solon lays the foundations for democracy.
  • c. 508 BCE
    Reforms by Cleisthenes establishes democracy in Athens.
  • 487 BCE - 486 BCE
    Archons begin to be appointed by lot in Athens.
  • c. 462 BCE - 458 BCE
    Pericles introduces democratic institutions in Athens.
  • 461 BCE
    Pericles leads the democratic party and ostracizes Cimon.
  • 447 BCE - 386 BCE
    The Boeotian federation has a minimum property requirement for participation in the democratic assembly.
  • 403 BCE
    Restoration of the democracy in Athens, death of the tyrant Critias.
  • 395 BCE
    Democracy is established on Rhodes.
  • 307 BCE
    Democracy is restored in Athens.
Sponsors
Many thanks to the companies who are kindly helping us: