1. Greek Democracy

2. One of the most important development in ancient Greece was the emergence, after 800 BC, of the independent city-state, the polis. Prior to the city states - small, petty cities. To organize the cities, the primary consideration was defense.

3. built on defensible positions, erecting the acropolis. Next came the houses. also included the surrounding farmlands, fields, pastures and woodlands. suburbs and fields.

4. a community that included both men and women. Outside this group were slaves and aliens, people who had no rights within the polis. Citizenship was enjoyed only within one’s own polis.

5. one overall social movement that was common to all – the movement toward some kind of self-government by the male citizens. The evolution to democratic government was not inevitable in a state.

6. Monarchy – an officer known as king (sometimes multiple kings). No real power as power was vested in a council. After tiring of a king they moved on to the next stage. Aristocratic oligarchy –political power was vested in a few nobles.

7. Tyranny (a tyrant) –simply a leader, and not in today’s sense of a tyrant, but comes from the Greek work tyranos – leader. The people would rally around this person, especially for the defense of the city. Democracy – Perhaps the greatest gift of the ancient Greeks to the world - Power vested in the hands of the people

8. Athenian exile, introduced democracy in Athens. In 510 B.C., had his supporters enlisted the help of the Spartans to drive out the new Athenian tyrant. Exerting his influence in Athenian politics, he proposed a scheme whereby the masses would participate more directly in running the state. He was very aware that the nobles’ power was very disproportionate.

9. Clans and Cliques - city states were divided into 4 parts and each was led by a clan. Each clan was led by a clique. Each of the four cliques worked together to dominate the city states. Council of 500 – created by Cleisthenes as he did away with the cliques. This council planned business for the public assembly.

10. All male citizens above 30 could serve for one year and the council was chosen new every year by drawing lots. No man could serve more than twice: in this way political experience was shared by many citizens, even if this led to government by amateurs rather that professionals.

11. A fair chance that every eligible Athenian would be chosen to serve once during his lifetime. With such a personal stake in democracy, citizens would not conspire with those who wanted to abolish the system. This form of Athenian democracy endured for several centuries and laid a basis for democracy in western civilization.