GRK 142 Lecture 23: Golden Age of Athens
Document Summary
Suspicious of powerful people because they are a threat to the democracy: ostraka vote for who should be ostracized, system is often rigged. Lottery system: prevents corruption, kleroterion randomly chosen jurors. Democratic participation is available to anyone who wants to: volunteerism, only rich can devote their time to politics, involvement is highly encouraged. Weaknesses: people can change their minds often, checks and balances don"t work well becomes mob rule. Demagogues offer things and popular legislation to get power even if the legislation isn"t necessarily good. Philosophical issues think that the best men (philosophers) should rule because of their education. Citizens in the sense that they can give birth to new citizens. First greek empire: control most of the sea with strong naval power, control almost all of the coasts and islands of the mediterranean and aegean sea. Delian league originally based out of delos: athenian leader, all other states are equal and must support athens.
