Classical vs Modern Democracy

A collection of independent city-states where the term “politics” originated.

Athens

An ancient democracy process where they may expel a citizen who is known to be a threat or can be a potential tyrant.

Marketplace they go to discuss their political views.

Slaves, Women, Foreigners

“Dictatorship naturally arises out of democracy and the most aggravated form of tyranny and slavery out of the most extreme liberty.”

Doing things which are allowed by the law.

Philosopher kings should rule not just because of their superior intellect per se but their superior moral understanding.

Being virtuous person means to understand “the good”

• Workers (Appetitive) • Guardians (Philosopher Kings) (Rational) • Auxiliaries (Spirited)

Polity

Self interest inherent in the defective form of government leads to inequality and injustice. This translates into instability which threatens the role of the state and its ability to encourage virtuous living.

Single: Monarchy—-Tyranny Few: Aristocracy—-Oligarchy Many: Polity—–Democracy

Example of Classic Democracy is the Athenian Democracy whereas people vote for or against the rules or policies rather than for candidates while for Modern Democracy it is a Representative Democracy where people vote for representatives who make the decisions for them.

A form of democracy in which representatives for certain political positions are decided by lottery

Lottery done to decide the representative for certain political positions.

• Exercised indirectly (Republic) • People choose their representatives through process of elections. • There is a system of elections • Recognition of rights • Emphasis of separation of powers • Checks and balance

• Substantive View of Democracy: focuses on the outcome or result • Procedural View of Democracy: focuses on the institutions or processes.

• It gives the right to rule to those who are unqualified. • Rulers must sustain their popularity. • Morality or virtue of the leader is compromised to retain power and popularity among people. • If people are allowed to decide on political matters, they will inevitably listen to those who look best, shout the loudest and promise the most. • There is a large tendency that the elites will always dominate rather than the true will of the majority.

“No true democracy have ever existed,nor ever will exist.”