Athenian democracy and its flaws from "summary" of The Histories by Herodotus
Athenian democracy, as practiced in the city-state of Athens, was a revolutionary system of government that allowed all eligible citizens to participate in decision-making processes. This form of democracy was a significant departure from the autocratic rule seen in many other ancient civilizations. In Athens, citizens had the right to vote on laws and policies, serve on juries, and even hold public office. This level of participation was unprecedented and gave the people a sense of ownership and empowerment in their government. However, despite its progressive nature, Athenian democracy was not without its flaws. One of the main criticisms of this system was its exclusion of certain groups from participating in the political process. Only male citizens who had completed their military training were considered eligible to vote and hold office. This meant that women, slaves, and foreigners living in Athens were effectively shut out of the democratic system. This limitation on who could participate in government undermined the principle of equality that democracy is supposed to uphold. Moreover, Athenian democracy was also criticized for its susceptibility to demagoguery and mob rule. Because decisions were made by a vote of the citizens, charismatic leade...
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