Download Origins of American Democracy

Early influences, philosophers, and governmental ideas

Athenian Democracy • Democracy – Greek “Dêmos” = People – Greek “Krátos” = Power or Force

• Direct Democracy = a political system in which the people do not elect representatives to vote on their behalf but vote on legislation and executive bills in their own right.

• “In a democracy, there is, first, that most splendid of virtues, equality before the law.” -Greek historian Herodotus • However the Greek “equality” was limited to about 20% of the population – Men – Must have served in the military – Excluded women, slaves, children, and metics (foreign workers)

• No property requirement to vote

City-State Rule

Plato • Born in Athens in 428 B.C. • Student of Socrates • He opened the first “college” the Academy in 387 B.C.

Plato’s Questions • Why do men behave justly? – Do they fear societal punishment, divine retribution, or are they scared of the law?

• How do we define justice?

Three Types of Justice • Political – Harmony in a structured political body

• Societal – Society is just when relations between the three classes are right (next slide) – The entire community aims at fulfilling whatever the rulers will

• Individual – The rational part of the soul rules, the spirited part of the soul supports this rule, and the appetitive part submits to reason

Plato’s Republic • Concept of the ‘just state’ – Society and government is ruled through hierarchies – Every individual has a purpose to fulfill – Anarchy is the supreme vice – When everyone in society is fulfilling their purpose there is justice and peace

Three Desires/Castes • Desire for Wisdom and Truth – Philosophers • Desire for Honor/Courage – Soldiers • Desire for Gains – Workers

Philosopher Kings • Rulers should be philosophers – Their soul is ‘rational’ – Desire for truth and wisdom

• Democracy is not ideal (Plato) – Not all members of society are capable of making wise decisions

Justification for Tyranny • Rise of totalitarianism in the 20th century – Joseph Stalin – Adolf Hitler – Ayatollah Khomeini

• Ideas of social engineering, idealism, and utopia

Magna Carta (1215) • First document forced onto a King of England – Attempt to limit powers under law – Protect the rights of subjects under law – King does not have full arbitrary power

• Beginning of process which led to constitutional law in Britain • Model legal system for first American colonies • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSgUffCZZD 0 • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if34bKbBqXI

• In future no official shall place a man on trial upon his own unsupported statement, without producing credible witnesses to the truth of it. • No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of his standing in any other way, nor will we proceed with force against him, or send others to do so, except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land. • To no one will we sell, to no one deny or delay right or justice.

The Enlightenment • A cultural movement of intellectuals in the 17th and 18th centuries • Reform society using reason • Challenge ideas grounded in tradition and faith • Promote scientific thought • Oppose superstition •

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Vkx7hNXE3Y

Change in Politics • Challenges to established rule – Rule should be based on reason

• Diminishing authority of the Catholic Church and monarchs

Absolutism • Louis XIV (14) or the Sun King (r. 1643-1715) – Divine Right of Kings • Divine (God) origin of monarchical rule

– Palace of Versailles • Consolidated power and nobles • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLJ1vuUWprA

End of Divine Right • Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette – Beheaded in 1793 during the French Revolution

• Divine Right was questioned – Mandate from God? – Reason should be supreme not religion

• Rulers should not have unquestioned power – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMYNfQlf1H8