Overview
This lecture explores the origins of democracy in ancient Athens, focusing on the use of lotteries (sortition) instead of elections to fill government positions, and examines how modern democracies contrast with this system.
Athenian Democracy Structure
- Ancient Athenian democracy was a direct system where most offices were filled by lottery from citizen volunteers.
- The principle of "ho boulomenos" allowed any eligible citizen to participate in the assembly.
- About 30,000 citizens were eligible, with around 6,000 attending each assembly meeting.
- Citizens could propose laws, address the assembly, or initiate public lawsuits.
- A 500-member council, the Boule, set the legislative agenda and evaluated proposals.
- Hundreds of jurors and magistrates, also chosen by lottery, managed legal matters.
Sortition versus Elections
- Sortition is the random selection of officials from a pool of citizens.
- Athenian democracy used sortition for most offices, reserving elections for roles needing expertise, such as generals.
- Elected roles were seen as aristocratic (rule by the best), as opposed to democratic (rule by the many).
Civic Participation and Exclusion
- Athenian democracy expanded previously elite privileges to ordinary citizens, making civic duty a central ideology.
- Sortition and strict term limits prevented the formation of political parties or governing classes.
- Full citizenship and participation excluded women, slaves, foreigners, and the very young, reducing the eligible pool to 10-20% of the population.
Critiques and Modern Reflections
- Philosophers like Plato criticized Athenian democracy as chaotic and unwise.
- Modern democracies favor elected representatives, but this can create issues like wealth influence and professional politicians.
- Some contemporary systems, like juries and citizens' assemblies, still use sortition to ensure broad representation.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Direct Democracy — a system where citizens participate directly in decision-making.
- Sortition — selection of officials by lottery from a group of eligible citizens.
- Boule — a council of 500 citizens managing legislative agendas in Athens.
- Ho boulomenos — principle allowing any citizen to participate in the assembly.
- Aristocracy — rule by the elite or the best-qualified individuals.
- Democracy — rule by the many, emphasizing widespread civic participation.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Reflect on the pros and cons of sortition versus elections for modern governance.
- Consider how current democratic institutions use or could use random selection to enhance representation.