Athenian Democracy US Democracy BOTH -Citizens: anyone born in country or takes test -Citizens: free males at least 18 years old BOTH -Political power is with the people -Laws proposed & voted on by an assembly of all citizens -Laws voted on & proposed by representatives that are elected by the citizens -Three branches of government -Legislative branch proposes & votes on laws -Executive branch is 500 citizens chosen by lottery -Executive branch carries out laws -Executive branch is elected and appointed -Judicial branch conducts trials with paid juries -Juries are any size -Juries are 12 citizens -No attorneys, appeals, one day trial -Right to attorney, appeals, no time limit
Athens vs. United States Greek (Athenian) Philosophers were the first to use reason & intelligence to explain things in the world (Natural Laws) Greeks felt people are significant and developed a direct democracy so more people could participate in society