Judeo-Christian & Greco-Roman Contributions to Western Politics

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Ancient Greece & Athens Role of Geography in

development of the polis

Population

Impact of technology & growth of middle class

5 Types: Monarchy>Aristocracy>

Oligarchy>Tyranny> Democracy

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Solon

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Outlawed citizen slavery Canceled farmer’s debts Established 4 classes

based on wealth rather than heredity

Council of 400 Increased participation. Reformed laws Democratic

participation was still limited to 1/10 of the Athenian population

Cleisthenes

Reforms included: strengthening the

Assembly which could then advise the Council.

All male citizens could take part in the assembly

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Age of Pericles Direct democracy & citizenship

Assembly quorum was 6000

Pericles expanded democracy by paying poorer citizens for attendance

Juries – open to any citizen over 30

Funeral Oration

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Excerpts from Funeral Oration

Power rested in the hands “not of a minority but of the whole people.”

“As citizens of a democracy Athenians bear a special responsibility. We differ from other states in regarding the man who holds aloof from public life not as quiet but as useless.”

Funeral Oration – democracy & citizenship6

Pericles

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Our form of government,

democracy is the best. We are the

first to be citizens rather than just

subjects. As citizens we have duties as well as

privileges such as jury duty & voting.

We are proud to enjoy equality under

the law. different

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“As citizens of a democracy Athenians bear a special responsibility. We differ from other states in regarding the man who holds aloof from public life not as quiet but as useless.”

Greek Philosophy Philosophers challenged the idea

that events were caused by the gods Instead they used observation &

logic to determine why things happen.

Studied natural laws that would prescribe best form of gov

Citizenship rather than subjects9

Socrates The Socratic Method

Free thought & natural laws

“the unexamined life is not worth living”

Most famous student was Plato

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Plato Disciple of Socrates Plato distrusted democracy The Republic is “ideal” utopia Society would be divided into classes

based on abilities of citizens. Plato believed in censorship & wanted

the state to regulate citizens’ lives to provide for their best interests.

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Plato

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I wrote the Republic. You’ll probably read it in college. My main thesis is that society should be divided into 3 classes. The class that should govern is the wisest of the 3. They are known

as the philosopher-

kings.

Aristotle Student of Plato, teacher of Alexander

the Great

Favored constitutional government ruled by the middle class. He called this a polity

The goal of the polity was to establish just an stable rule.

Believed in the rule of the law and that rulers should also be subjected to laws

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Aristotle People could reach their highest potential

within a city-state (polis) only under the rule of law

Wrote that the “rule of law is preferable to that of any individual. Even if it be better for certain individuals to govern, they should be made only guardians and ministers of the law.”

Here he states his belief in: (1) the rule of law (2) that even rulers are subject to the law and (3) his hatred of tyranny in which a ruler stood

above the law (Magna Carta)

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Aristotle on tyranny #1 “…it is part [of the nature of tyranny] to strive to

see to it that nothing is kept hidden… which any subject says or does, but that everywhere he will be spied upon… and further, to set man against man and friend against friend, and the common people against the privileged and the wealthy. Also it is part of the these tyrannical measures to keep the subjects poor, in order to pay the guards and the soldiers, and so that they will be occupied with earning their livelihood and will have neither leisure nor opportunity to engage in conspiratorial acts…Also the tyrant is inclined to constantly foment wars.”

Politics15

Aristotle on tyranny #2 There is also a third kind of tyranny,

which is the most typical form, and is the counterpart of the perfect monarchy. This tyranny is just that arbitrary power of an individual which is responsible to no one, and governs all alike whether equals or better, with a view to its own advantage, not to that of its subjects, and therefore against their will. No freeman, if he can escape from it, will endure such a government.

Politics, Book 1016

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Reason, logic, the polis,

polity, rule of law, rule by the middle

class are my prescription for a stable

society.

Contributions of ancient Greeks•Governments should be based on reason & natural laws.

•Direct democracy•Citizenship•Civic Virtue demanded of all citizens such as voting & jury duty.•First to suggest that events were caused by people not the gods.•Checks & balances

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For Socrates – never ending need to constantly seek truth through Socratic Method

For Plato these natural laws meant that only the wisest should lead society. Philosopher-kings

Aristotle concluded that man was by nature a political animal meaning it is his nature to live in a society Believed middle class should rule

Roman Contributions Republican form of

government Twelve Tables –

guaranteed fair administration of justice

Equality under the law Innocent until… Accusers must prove… Checks and Balances Separation of Powers Civil law &Justinian

Code

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Roman Rule of Law & Justice

Applies to all people under Roman law

Five Basic Principles

Created stability and

Unity

Burden of proof rests

with the accuser 21

Review: Greeks Respect for dignity and worth of the individual

strengthened the view that citizenship participation was beneficial.

Direct democracy 3 branches of gov Expanded participation=greater numbers Philosophy which strengthened belief in

reason, logic & natural laws & rights. Citizenship Rule of law Equality under the law Aristotle’s polity

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Review: Romans Greek contributions plus Republic Separation of powers Written legal code (government of

laws) Law & Rights of individual

Rights of the accused Equality under the law Fair laws Innocent until proven guilty

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Judeo-Christian Biblical humor?

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Judeo-Christian Influences on Western Political Thought Law was based on Torah

& the 10 Commandments.

Everyone was subject to & equal under the law.

Emphasis was on ethics & morality rather than performance of rituals.

It was the duty of every individual to oppose injustice & oppression.

Law & religion were one in the same

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Ethical Monotheism Humans were given

a “social conscience” & the “moral freedom” to choose between good and bad.

All people had access to God not just the rulers

Contrast with polytheism

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Judaism Responsibility to follow God’s law Freedom to make individual moral

choices Disregard of laws brings punishments

which prophets warned. Prophets preached strong code of ethics Historical tragedies were linked to

failure to obey God’s laws God created man in his own image as

been linked to political equality or equality under the law

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Christianity Roman rule Messiah Different opinions about Jesus Ministry of Jesus – acceptance of Torah

& beliefs of the prophets. His mission was to provide spiritual

salvation based on justice, morality and service.

Preached forgiveness Jesus seen as threat by both Romans &

Jewish priests32

Judeo-Christian Split Crucifixion Resurrection Jewish sect Apostles – Peter and Paul Why Roman persecution? Appeal of Christianity – 4 New Testament – new fulfillment of

covenant Contributions are moral & ethical principles

which are basic assumptions in Western thought. Equality of all is an essential value of democracy

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The RenaissanceThinkers were interested in earthly life rather than preparation for the afterlife.

Emphasized public service rather than just service to the church.

Individualism was deeply rooted in the Renaissance.

This led to secular humanism which emphasized human potential which led to exploration, capitalism, - & the scientific revolution.

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Reformation Reformers challenged corruption within the Church such as indulgences.

Stressed direct relationship with God rather than one through the clergy

Believed that salvation came from faith alone.

Translated the Bible so believers could interpret the word of God by themselves without the clergy.

Emphasis on individualism led to questioning of authority which contributed to political liberty and democracy

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Western Political Thought

Enlighten-ment

Medieval Reforms

Reformation

GreeksRomans

Renaissance

Judeo-Christian

Hobbes Human nature/ state

of nature = state of war

Social contract based on need for security & order.

Without strong central gov (Leviathan) people would not be able to acquire property and live longer

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John LockeOpposite view of HobbesHuman nature-essentially

goodPurpose of gov is protect

natural rights such as life, liberty & property.

If gov abuses its duties then people have right to overthrow gov

Lockean views are evident in US Constitution

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Baron de Montesquieu

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Separation of powers

Checks & balances

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

“Man is born free yet everywhere he is in chains”

Believed that man in a state of nature was noble.

It was civilization that corrupts man

Advocated “direct democracy”

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Voltaire Freedom of

speech Freedom of

religion “I may disagree

with you but I will die to defend your right to say it.”

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Enlightenment on Government The purpose of gov is to protect

people’s natural rights such as life, liberty, property & pursuit of happiness.

People have a right to overthrow the gove if it fails to protect those

Favored “republicanism” as best type of gov

This logic legitimized the American & French Revolutions

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US Declaration of IndependenceFrench Declaration of the Rights of Man & CitizenNorth VietnamSeneca Falls DeclarationUN Declaration on Human Rights