Classical vs Modern Democracy

Question 1

Ancient Greece

Answer 1

A collection of independent city-states where the term “politics” originated.

Question 2

Greek city state that practices direct democracy

Answer 2

Athens

Question 3

Ostracism

Answer 3

An ancient democracy process where they may expel a citizen who is known to be a threat or can be a potential tyrant.

Question 4

Agora

Answer 4

Marketplace they go to discuss their political views.

Question 5

Who are excluded in Ancient Greek Democracy?

Answer 5

Slaves, Women, Foreigners

Question 6

Plato on Dictatorship

Answer 6

“Dictatorship naturally arises out of democracy and the most aggravated form of tyranny and slavery out of the most extreme liberty.”

Question 7

What is freedom?

Answer 7

Doing things which are allowed by the law.

Question 8

According to Plato?

Answer 8

Philosopher kings should rule not just because of their superior intellect per se but their superior moral understanding.

Question 9

Plato virtue

Answer 9

Being virtuous person means to understand “the good”

Question 10

Plato division of people

Answer 10

1. Workers (Appetitive)
2. Guardians (Philosopher Kings) (Rational)
3. Auxiliaries (Spirited)

Question 11

For Aristotle, what is the best form of government?

Answer 11

Polity

Question 12

Aristotle argues?

Answer 12

Self interest inherent in the defective form of government leads to inequality and injustice. This translates into instability which threatens the role of the state and its ability to encourage virtuous living.

Question 13

What are the good and perverted forms of government according to Aristotle?

Answer 13

Single: Monarchy—-Tyranny
Few: Aristocracy—-Oligarchy
Many: Polity—–Democracy

Question 14

Classic vs Modern Democracy

Answer 14

Example of Classic Democracy is the Athenian Democracy whereas people vote for or against the rules or policies rather than for candidates while for Modern Democracy it is a Representative Democracy where people vote for representatives who make the decisions for them.

Question 15

Aleatory Democracy

Answer 15

A form of democracy in which representatives for certain political positions are decided by lottery

Question 16

Sortition

Answer 16

Lottery done to decide the representative for certain political positions.

Question 17

Modern Democracy Characteristics

Answer 17

1. Exercised indirectly (Republic)
2. People choose their representatives through process of elections.
3. There is a system of elections
4. Recognition of rights
5. Emphasis of separation of powers
6. Checks and balance

Question 18

Roberth Dahl’s View on Democracy

Answer 18

1. Substantive View of Democracy: focuses on the outcome or result
2. Procedural View of Democracy: focuses on the institutions or processes.

Question 19

Dangers of Democracy

Answer 19

1. It gives the right to rule to those who are unqualified.
2. Rulers must sustain their popularity.
3. Morality or virtue of the leader is compromised to retain power and popularity among people.
4. If people are allowed to decide on political matters, they will inevitably listen to those who look best, shout the loudest and promise the most.
5. There is a large tendency that the elites will always dominate rather than the true will of the majority.

Question 20

Quotation of Jean Jacques Rousseau

Answer 20

“No true democracy have ever existed,nor ever will exist.”