The Legacy of Ancient Greece and Rome

What is government? A system for exercising authority A system for exercising authority How were people living before the idea of a government began? How were people living before the idea of a government began? Living under absolute rulers Living under absolute rulers Chieftans Chieftans Kings Kings Pharaohs Pharaohs

The Idea of Democracy Where did the idea of Democracy begin? Where did the idea of Democracy begin? Ancient Greece Ancient Greece Democracy: rule of the people Democracy: rule of the people Came from the Greek words: Came from the Greek words: Demos- people Demos- people Kratos- rule or authority Kratos- rule or authority

Athens: Limited Democracy Largest, most powerful city-state in Greece Largest, most powerful city-state in Greece Ruled by a monarchy until 683 B.C. Ruled by a monarchy until 683 B.C. Developed an Aristocracy Developed an Aristocracy A state ruled by the noble class A state ruled by the noble class Citizens elected nobles to rule Citizens elected nobles to rule Were only considered a citizen if you were an adult male resident Were only considered a citizen if you were an adult male resident

What was Athens like? Poor farmers pledged their crops to wealthy landowners Poor farmers pledged their crops to wealthy landowners Things became worse: farmers sold themselves into slavery Things became worse: farmers sold themselves into slavery Resulted in severe economic and political problems Resulted in severe economic and political problems

Making connections… What democratic institutions do you participate in now or might participate in the future? What democratic institutions do you participate in now or might participate in the future?

Plato Plato prefers an aristocratic government ruled by philosopher kings Plato prefers an aristocratic government ruled by philosopher kings He prefers a state that promotes laws based on reason rather than desire or honor He prefers a state that promotes laws based on reason rather than desire or honor A good government is ruled by reason A good government is ruled by reason Philosophers rule because they are required by law Philosophers rule because they are required by law

Plato’s belief about government Aristocracy: rule by the best Aristocracy: rule by the best Primary purpose is reason Primary purpose is reason Deteriorates to Timocracy: have to have property to be an officer Deteriorates to Timocracy: have to have property to be an officer Rulers use honor as a motivation Rulers use honor as a motivation Deteriorates to Oligarchy: rule by the few Deteriorates to Oligarchy: rule by the few Primary purpose is wealth Primary purpose is wealth Deteriorates to Democracy: rule by majority Deteriorates to Democracy: rule by majority Primary goal is liberty Primary goal is liberty

Aristotle Doctrine of the Mean: must find the “mean” between two extreme character traits Doctrine of the Mean: must find the “mean” between two extreme character traits Humans are political animals but have rational speech to distinguish between right and wrong Humans are political animals but have rational speech to distinguish between right and wrong Justice: Justice: Distributing benefits based on merit Distributing benefits based on merit

Aristotle cont. Democracy gives benefits even to those that don’t deserve it Democracy gives benefits even to those that don’t deserve it Best government: gives political rights to those who make a complete contribution to the political community Best government: gives political rights to those who make a complete contribution to the political community

The Roman Republic Republic: Government where people elect their own leaders Republic: Government where people elect their own leaders Government controlled by aristocrats (patricians) Government controlled by aristocrats (patricians) Laws engraved (12 Tables) and displayed in public Laws engraved (12 Tables) and displayed in public Government officials elected by adult male citizens Government officials elected by adult male citizens

Roman Republic continued Senate (300 patricians) had most power including control over tax money and foreign policy Senate (300 patricians) had most power including control over tax money and foreign policy Assembly (plebeians; lower class) gradually gained power Assembly (plebeians; lower class) gradually gained power Two consuls (patricians) commanded army Two consuls (patricians) commanded army Dictator chosen in emergencies Dictator chosen in emergencies

Roman Law Believed laws should be based on reason and justice in order to protect citizens and their property Believed laws should be based on reason and justice in order to protect citizens and their property All citizens had the right to equal treatment under law All citizens had the right to equal treatment under law A person was considered innocent until proven guilty A person was considered innocent until proven guilty Burden of proof rests with the accuser Burden of proof rests with the accuser Any law that seemed unreasonable or grossly unfair could be set aside Any law that seemed unreasonable or grossly unfair could be set aside