Ancient Greek Democracy (Athens) (jan 1, 500 BC – jan 1, 322 BC)
Description:
The first recollection of a Democratic government is in Athens. It was the first Greek city state to fully develop democracy. Athens' system was a direct democracy, and the participating people voted directly on things, such as legislation and excutive bills. Not everyone was allowed to participate in the vote, only those that met the requirements. In order to vote you had to be an adult (18 and over), male, and neither a foreigner, slave, or a woman. Athens was by no means the only city in ancient Greece to have a democratic government system, but it is only with Athens that historians can attempt to trace some of the specific sixth-century events that led to the instutition of democracy at the end of the century. This would be the first instance that we see of classical liberalism and it's connotation! By the Greeks implementing the right for citizens to vote and not just people of a certain class or status we see the first contribution to classical liberalism as well as the first time citizens' choice is implemented in the government. Overall, this was the start of ordinary citizens being able to have influence and power in the government, and paved the way that much further for liberalism, and citizens being able to protect their freedoms.
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