Most people think they know what Democracy is all about, but more often than not questioning reveals that they don't really know at all. For example, it is NOT simple majority rule. An example of majority rule is a lynch mob. LAWS are an absolutely necessary force in mitigating the tyranny of the majority. But what laws, and who decides?

Get and read

First Democracy: The Challenge of an Ancient Idea, by Paul Woodruff.

This book is an easy read, and it is a real eye-opener for those who may think that they know what Democracy is all about. It's the kind of book that one reads, and then keeps handy in order to go back and read many parts over again.

Athenian Democracy was far from perfect and they made a lot of mistakes. But it didn't come to an end because of its mistakes (which, for the most part, once they became aware of them, they quickly corrected), but because Athens was invaded by Philip of Macedonia (father of Alexander the Great). Athenian Democracy was working well up to that point.

Early on, they learned to avoid such things as aristocrats, the wealthy, and other would-be tyrants lobbying or bribing officials, because deliberating bodies such as juries and legislative entities were huge.   Juries were composed of 501 people, much too big to bribe, and were selected by lottery, from the general citizenship. And whenever possible, on the day of the trial, making bribery even more difficult.

Their equivalent of our Congress was composed of 6,000 self-selected citizens, the first to arrive on the day of deliberations.

Athenian citizens were expected to be well-educated and up on current affairs—and there were consequences if they were not. Up to and including banishment.

A very interesting chapter in the book is Chapter 10, the Afterward, entitled "Are Americans Ready for Democracy?"

A good question.

Get it. Read it.

Don Firth