The first democracy was a limited democracy introduced by Cleisthenes in 507 BCE after expulsion of the tyrant. Voting was limited to landowners.
This democracy was replaced by an oligarchy to lead during the Persian War. A broader democracy of citizens was reintroduced byEphialtes in 461 BCE.
He was assassinated and his deputy Pericles introduced radical democracy of all Athenian adult males in 444 BCE after expelling the competing landowner party in the assembly.
Ancient Greece - particularly Athens - was where democracy was first introduced. All the male citizens of Athens could vote for their leaders. Although this did not include women or slaves, this was the bulk of the male population of the city. The word democracy, in fact, comes from Greek: Demos meaning people and kratia being the word for government.
The first political system in the city-states of Greece was the rule of one man [kingdome]. Then aristocracy/ oligarchy followed and finaly democracy was introduced with Athens as the leading city. Athens strongly supported other cities to join the democratic alliance known as the athenean alliance.
The term that describes the government of Athens in the fifth century B.C. but not Sparta is "democracy." In Athens, democracy allowed citizens to participate directly in decision-making and governance, with an emphasis on equality and participation. In contrast, Sparta was governed by an oligarchic system, with power concentrated in a few elite rulers and a dual kingship. This fundamental difference in political structure is a key characteristic that distinguishes the two city-states.
Direct democracy worked well in Athens because of its relatively small population, which allowed citizens to participate actively in decision-making processes. The Athenian system encouraged civic engagement, with citizens gathering in the Agora to debate and vote on issues. Additionally, the use of lotteries to select officials minimized corruption and ensured broader representation. This participatory model was underpinned by a strong sense of civic identity and responsibility among Athenian citizens.
The first democracy in Athens did not include all residents; it was limited to male citizens, excluding women, slaves, and foreigners from participation. Additionally, it did not operate on a system of representative democracy, as decisions were made directly by the citizens through assemblies and public discourse. Furthermore, the Athenian democracy did not prioritize equal influence for all citizens, as wealth and social status could impact one's political power and access to civic life.
This ment that women could not vot! only men!:)
The city-state of Athens in Ancient Greece
The system of democracy was first introduced in ancient Athens, Greece, around the 5th century BCE. This form of direct democracy allowed citizens to participate in decision-making processes, including voting on laws and policies. While not everyone in Athens was granted citizenship (e.g., women, slaves, and foreigners were excluded), it laid the groundwork for democratic principles that have influenced modern political systems.
Foreign travelers introduced new philosophies.
Athens was known for its system of direct democracy.
Democracy is a Greek term which means 'rule of people'. This system of government was first practiced by Greek city state of Athens. Athenians are believed to have established first democratic government in 508-507 BC.
As democratic as we cannot imagine today since all eligible citizens participated in the process on a daily basis in order to take the appropriate decisions with their vote - direct democracy and not a representative model as introduced 250 years ago.
Ancient Athens is often considered to have had one of the most direct forms of democracy in history. In Athens, citizens had the opportunity to vote on laws and policies directly in large assemblies. Their system of government allowed for more widespread citizen participation compared to other ancient civilizations.
They used a Democracy.
Athenian democracy in Ancient Greece. But that democracy only concerned free Athenian adult male citizens, not children, not women, not slaves, not foreigners. Sounds like a good democracy for me.
The member of an aristocratic family who led a democratic group and introduced reforms in Athenian government was Cleisthenes. Often referred to as the "Father of Athenian Democracy," he implemented a series of political reforms around 508-507 BCE that restructured the political system of Athens, emphasizing greater participation of the citizenry in governance. His changes included the reorganization of the political tribes and the establishment of the Council of Five Hundred, which allowed for more equitable representation. Cleisthenes' reforms laid the foundation for the development of democracy in Athens.
Ancient Greece, around 500BC.