The Athenians came closest to our expectations of democracy.
Certainly, only prosperous free men—10-20 percent of the city-state’s population—had the right to vote. Thus, women, slaves and immigrants were not allowed to vote.
These citizens could attend mass meetings, where they enjoyed freedom of speech and could propose legal reforms.
At such meetings, the offices of the city-state were distributed once a year – usually by lot or direct election.
The influence of individual citizens was less important in the Roman Empire.
The republic was formed to prevent individuals from usurping power and was characterized by organized parties that looked after each other’s interests.
Citizens were divided by class and the top class was much more influential than the lower ones. The poor thus had little to contribute.
Democracy or Republic
Athenians
- Anyone could submit a proposal for a law.
- Citizens voted as individuals.
- Hikkesti determined the official structure.
One citizen, one vote
Athens was governed by mass meetings of all citizens, a council of 500 and courts. In all three areas, the cases were decided by a majority of votes and all votes had the same weight.
Romans
- The Senate formulated the law.
- Citizens voted in parties.
- Standing committees distributed offices.
The Senate took power
In Rome, power blocs were supposed to keep each other in check. But the unelected senate towered over others. The Romans voted in parties, and the weight of the upper class was the greatest.
