Democracy: Ancient Models, Modern Challenges

Democracy: Ancient Models, Modern Challenges - Melissa Lane

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Demokratia is the power (kratos) of the people (demos). But what kind of power, and who constitutes the people? Although ancient democracy is often stylized as “direct democracy” and so positioned as very different from modern “representative democracy,” in fact, issues of accountability are central to both.
Ancient Greek models of holding leaders to account are still relevant. Furthermore, the ancient Greek use of election for some offices and lottery selection for others also offers instructive possibilities for modern challenges.
This lecture was recorded by Melissa Lane on 14th March 2024 at Barnard's Inn Hall, London
Melissa is Gresham Professor of Rhetoric.
Melissa is an author, lecturer and broadcaster who has received major awards including a Guggenheim Fellowship and Lucy Shoe Meritt Residency in Classical Studies at the American Academy of Rome.
The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website:
www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/d...
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Пікірлер: 12

@kp6215 Ай бұрын

I realized the same by James in 1959 at 8.

@kp6215 Ай бұрын

I would serve on any jury except I never received the summons because the USPS never could deliver the notice my entire life now 73.

@whitepanties2751 Ай бұрын

In Aristotle's Politics he also says that democracy is rule by the poor. Hence he says that if there was ever a city in which the majority of citizens were rich but a minority of poor people made themselves the rulers by superior strength, that would be a democracy.

@kp6215 Ай бұрын

Where are the women in this citizen body for offices. To rule and be ruled the women that ruled and holding offices.

@rjrobinson198 Ай бұрын

Democracy by election is necessarily inferior to direct participation by all, as the former leads to the current oligarchy - a realistic choice between only 2-3 parties, all dominated by their donors. But we cannot achieve universal participation without a massive shake up in our education system and a radical transformation in both our economic and political systems.

@JelMain Ай бұрын

Why the latter? It's easy to extract the right to a voice from freedom of expression. Representative democracy was rational in 1680, but not now, and ratification of Law by a Head of State usurps the possibility of ratification by referendum as a form of Direct Democracy

@jishnujishnu1467 Ай бұрын

Again a key point Socrates (not that he’s the ultimate voice on this) made is that the office needs to rotate often and everyone needs a turn. How many congressmen and women that have chokehold on their states have been in office for DECADES. There needs to be shorter terms and more term limits. And lobbying needs to be made illegal.

@kp6215 Ай бұрын

Women were on the juries 300 BCE in Greece but what was Asia organizations working together ALL people (both sexes , male and females equal).

@richardoldfield6714 Ай бұрын

Even in the most democratic of Greek city states - such as Athens - it’s estimated that only 10 - 20% of the population had the right to vote. This didn't include women or slaves.

@NicholBrummer Ай бұрын

so this is why Alkibiades had to be a general, so he could get elected, and hence a demagogue? Selling the big and crazy expedition to syracuse was a necessary step towards becoming a leader.

@whitepanties2751 Ай бұрын

So 25.16 Demokratia could be translated either as: 'Power to the People' or even 'Dictatorship of the Proletariat'

@JelMain Ай бұрын

All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others, places every nuclear power on it's hind trotters.