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
Results 1-5 of 56
Page 5
... side of Athenian politics more clearly than the bright, and they tended to blame the dark side on democratic ideas. They passed their judgment down to succeeding generations of thinkers, with such success that democracy carried a bad ...
... side of Athenian politics more clearly than the bright, and they tended to blame the dark side on democratic ideas. They passed their judgment down to succeeding generations of thinkers, with such success that democracy carried a bad ...
Page 8
... experience they had of democracy, and at least one side of the debate that raged among them over democratic ideas. Ancient Greek democracy was probably not the world's first attempt. 8 introduction: democracy and its doubles.
... experience they had of democracy, and at least one side of the debate that raged among them over democratic ideas. Ancient Greek democracy was probably not the world's first attempt. 8 introduction: democracy and its doubles.
Page 11
... side in the English department, it's the last straw. For the other, it looks like total victory. The neocolonial won a string of victories that now promises to extend as far as anyone can foresee; they outnumber the traditionalists, and ...
... side in the English department, it's the last straw. For the other, it looks like total victory. The neocolonial won a string of victories that now promises to extend as far as anyone can foresee; they outnumber the traditionalists, and ...
Page 12
... side and block all future neocolonial appointments. Another is well connected enough to engage powerful and wealthy alumni in the fight. Soon the plot is uncovered, and the outraged chair confronts the dissidents. “Why have you done ...
... side and block all future neocolonial appointments. Another is well connected enough to engage powerful and wealthy alumni in the fight. Soon the plot is uncovered, and the outraged chair confronts the dissidents. “Why have you done ...
Page 13
... many interests and issues out of discussion. Candidates on the winning side are likely to be more extreme, since they will be selected by the party faithful. In a contested election, they introduction: democracy and its doubles 13.
... many interests and issues out of discussion. Candidates on the winning side are likely to be more extreme, since they will be selected by the party faithful. In a contested election, they introduction: democracy and its doubles 13.
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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Common terms and phrases
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