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Democracy in Greece and Rome

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What is government?

The form or system of rule by which The form or system of rule by which a state, community, etc., is a state, community, etc., is governed. governed.

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Some types of government

Fascist – all institutions, including

religion and the family, are secondary

to the State

Nazi GermanyCuba

North Korea

Republic – the people make their decisions

through representatives

United States of AmericaFrance

Constitutional monarchy – head of state inherits the position, but with limited power, and people are guaranteed basic rights

The United Kingdom Kingdom of NorwayKingdom of Jordan

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Spectrum of Government

Anarchy (No one has any power

over anyone else; all are completely

equal.)

Moderate(Everyone has some say, even if it’s limited; certain amount of hierarchy.)

Authoritarian(Government exercises extreme control over citizens in a rigid hierarchy.)More power for government

Less power for government

Oligarchy (early post-communist Russia)

Tyranny (Nazi Germany, Stalin’s Soviet Union, etc).Traditional monarchy (Louis XIV’s France)

Constitutional monarchy (Modern England)

Pure democracy (ancient Athens)

Representative democracy/republic (USA)

Socialist democracy (Modern Sweden)

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Some thoughts on government

Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one. – Thomas Paine

Which is the best government? That which teaches us to govern ourselves. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

[A] government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have.

– Benjamin Franklin

The patriot must always be prepared to defend his country from his government. – Edward Abbey

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The Greek Polis (City State)

The Polis was the town and the surrounding area.

Where the community of people came together to rule themselves; having a common goal and identity.

Acropolis: Usually the fortified center of the town, also used for meetings

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The Greek Polis (City State) Citizen with Political Rights = males

over 21 Citizens w/ no Political Rights =

Females & Children Non-Citizens = Slaves

Direct Democracy: All citizens vote on all decisions made by the government.

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Rights Responsibilities

Right to participate in the elections of officials - Voting

Military service to protect the community

The polis supports you if you deal with outsiders

You support the polis when it makes a decision you do not agree with. Follow or obey laws.

To be tried by a jury of your peers

To serve on a jury.

Speaking in public places Pay taxes

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Tyranny and Tyrants

The Authoritative Rule of an individual (above the law)

Many times are given power in time of crisis and chose to keep it in time of peace.

Develop programs (building monuments and public buildings) to keep the people happy.

The Greeks value the rule of law and would eventually overthrow the tyrants.

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Oligarchy

Oligarchies are the rule by a few.– Usually the aristocrats (Wealthy

landowners) – Sometimes military leaders (modern)

Athens– The Archons: board of 9 Rulers– The Assembly of citizens held few

powers

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Separation of Power in the USALegislative Executive Judicial

Makes the Law Enforces the Law

Interprets the Law

Approves Treaties

Creates Treaties

Controls Treasury

Controls Military

Declares laws unconstitutional

Elected 6/2 years

Elected 4 years

Indirectly elected;

Selected for life (creates stability)

Elected by the People

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Separation of Powerin Ancient Greece

The Assembly of Citizens

The Generals(Elected positions)

Voted on laws Carried out the will of the assembly

Elected public officials

Daily operations of the Government

Foreign Policy (War)

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Is a democratic government existing to distribute the wealth more evenly to all

citizens? Many Greek Reformers (and later

governments from around the world) seek to distribute the wealth (land) by taking from the owners and giving it to the peasants.

Do you think this is fair?

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Lesson on Government

Here’s the question and you tell me how this would work.

–You can have only 1 thing to eat every day for the next month. What will it be?

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How would each decide?

Direct democracy Representative democracy? Aristocracy? Oligarchy? Monarchy? Tyrant?

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What are the advantages/disadvantages?

Direct democracy – how would it be decided?

Representative democracy? Aristocracy? Oligarchy? Monarchy? Tyrant?

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Roman Law

Patricians: aristocratic, wealthy, land-owning families of Rome; could serve in government positions

Plebeians: Lower class of Romans who still enjoyed the rights of citizenship.

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Government Positions:

Chief Executive Officials 2 Consuls: Elected annually to run the govt.

and lead the army Praetors: High Judge position to carry out

Roman Law Tribunes of the Plebs: Evolved later in the

Roman Republic to represent the needs of the lower classes (Plebeians) to the Consuls and Senate

Dictator: Appointed in time of crisis for 1 year.

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Assemblies Senate: 300 land owning men to give

guidance to the Consuls / later they made the laws; served for life; descended from the original families.

Centuriate Assembly: Based on wealth but represented all classes; elected the Consuls and Praetors

Council of the Plebs: Lower classes split from the Centuriate Assembly to form this council. Selected Tribunes to protect their rights before the Patrician led councils; Veto Power (“I Forbid”) over some laws

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The Spartacus Slave Revolt. The Gladiator Spartacus creates an

army of runaway slaves, (gathering more as the movement continued) and led the slaves of Rome to revolt against the Roman ruling class in an attempt to flee Italy and seek sanctuary in Africa.

Rome turns to Crassus to be the dictator to put down the revolt. The slave army was finally conquered but starting at this point, the representative government of the Romans is subverted to the role of the dictator or Emperor.

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To sum it up … The Greeks and the Romans

developed and practiced the early forms of democracy.

Both of these Nations could not make democracy last and were ruled by emperors.

The lasting influence is the idea of citizenship and that people can and should be responsible for the government that has authority over them.