First Democracy: The Challenge of an Ancient IdeaOxford University Press, 2006 M03 16 - 304 pages Americans have an unwavering faith in democracy and are ever eager to import it to nations around the world. But how democratic is our own "democracy"? If you can vote, if the majority rules, if you have elected representatives--does this automatically mean that you have a democracy? In this eye-opening look at an ideal that we all take for granted, classical scholar Paul Woodruff offers some surprising answers to these questions. Drawing on classical literature, philosophy, and history--with many intriguing passages from Sophocles, Aesop, and Plato, among others--Woodruff immerses us in the world of ancient Athens to uncover how the democratic impulse first came to life. The heart of the book isolates seven conditions that are the sine qua non of democracy: freedom from tyranny , harmony, the rule of law, natural equality, citizen wisdom, reasoning without knowledge, and general education. He concludes that a true democracy must be willing to invite everyone to join in government. It must respect the rule of law so strongly that even the government is not above the law. True democracy must be mature enough to accept changes that come from the people. And it must be willing to pay the price of education for thoughtful citizenship. If we learn anything from the story of Athens, Woodruff concludes, it should be this--never lose sight of the ideals of democracy. This compact, eloquent book illuminates these ideals and lights the way as we struggle to keep democracy alive at home and around the world. |
From inside the book
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Page i
... questions relevant to our contemporary political life through the prism of the Athenian democracy. The reader may disagree with Woodruff's policy prescriptions—I do, myself—but one must admire the insights and erudition of the analysis ...
... questions relevant to our contemporary political life through the prism of the Athenian democracy. The reader may disagree with Woodruff's policy prescriptions—I do, myself—but one must admire the insights and erudition of the analysis ...
Page v
... all Plato scholars, because it neglected some philosophical issues that bear on the vexed question of Socrates' attitude towards democracy. The larger book he had dreamed of—the one on democracy itself—he never wrote, though most.
... all Plato scholars, because it neglected some philosophical issues that bear on the vexed question of Socrates' attitude towards democracy. The larger book he had dreamed of—the one on democracy itself—he never wrote, though most.
Page ix
... question. Like I. F. Stone, I firmly believe that it ought to be. But I wonder how. I began this book on the rooftop of a hotel in Athens, looking across to the Parthenon, a lavish temple built by a democracy from the profits of empire ...
... question. Like I. F. Stone, I firmly believe that it ought to be. But I wonder how. I began this book on the rooftop of a hotel in Athens, looking across to the Parthenon, a lavish temple built by a democracy from the profits of empire ...
Page 13
... questions of leadership. The essential features of First Democracy were freedom from tyranny and the inclusion of all citizens in governance. These go together. Any kind of tyranny—including majority rule—keeps some citizens out of ...
... questions of leadership. The essential features of First Democracy were freedom from tyranny and the inclusion of all citizens in governance. These go together. Any kind of tyranny—including majority rule—keeps some citizens out of ...
Page 16
... question about modern democracies. We are far from ideal in the United States, and we have a lot to do before we ... questions they make us ask. If democracy can be translated across the ages, its essence must be in ideas. We cannot ...
... question about modern democracies. We are far from ideal in the United States, and we have a lot to do before we ... questions they make us ask. If democracy can be translated across the ages, its essence must be in ideas. We cannot ...
Contents
3 | |
2 The Life and Death of Democracy | 21 |
3 Freedom from Tyranny And from Being a Tyrant | 61 |
4 Harmony | 81 |
5 The Rule of Law Nomos | 109 |
6 Natural Equality | 127 |
7 Citizen Wisdom | 145 |
8 Reasoning Without Knowledge | 171 |
Are Americans Ready for Democracy? | 211 |
Notes | 233 |
Dates | 258 |
Cast of Characters | 260 |
Guide to the Peloponnesian War | 263 |
Ancient Sources | 265 |
Scholarly Works Cited | 266 |
Index | 273 |
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able Aeschylus ancient argument army Assembly Athenians Athens attack believe better bring called chapter citizens civil claim common court culture debate decisions defeat defend democracy democratic elected empire enemies equal expert failed failure fear follow force freedom gave give Greece Greek harmony human ideal ideas interests issues judgment justice keep killed kind king knew knowledge known lead leaders lines live majority means nature never Nicias ordinary party Pericles Persian philosophers Plato play poets political poor practice probably Protagoras question reason requires reverence rhetoric rich rule of law shared shows side slaves Socrates Sparta speak speakers speech Syracuse teach teachers thing Thirty thought Thucydides trial tyranny tyrant United vote wealth wisdom women wrong young