Why did direct democracy work for the ancient Greek city of Athens?
Athens had a senate.
Athens had a president.
Athens had literate citizens.
Athens had a small population.
Direct democracy worked for the ancient Greek city of Athens for a few reasons:
1. Political participation: Direct democracy gave all eligible citizens the opportunity to directly participate in decision-making. In Athens, all male citizens over the age of 18 had the right to vote and participate in the democratic process. This increased political participation and allowed citizens to have a direct say in the affairs of the city-state.
2. Citizen empowerment: Direct democracy empowered individual citizens and allowed them to have a direct impact on the decisions that affected their lives. It provided citizens with a sense of ownership in the political process and the ability to shape their city-state's policies.
3. Education and literacy: Athens had a highly literate population compared to other city-states in ancient Greece. This literacy allowed citizens to be informed about various issues and encouraged critical thinking, enabling them to make informed decisions during assemblies and votes. The presence of a literate citizenry contributed to the functioning of direct democracy in Athens.
4. Small population size: The small size of Athens' population made it more feasible for its citizens to gather in the assembly and actively participate in decision-making. This made it easier for the democratic process to be implemented and facilitated discussions and debates on various issues.
While Athens did not have a formal president or executive figure, these factors, along with the existence of a senate (known as the Council of 500), helped direct democracy to be successful in the ancient Greek city-state.
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3. Athens had literate citizens.