How would an Athenian of the 5th Century BCE criticize our present-day representative democracy? (or.... how would they approve of it?)
I think that if the Athenians were to see our representative democracy today, they would be disappointed in the way that many of the populations voices are being disregarded and put aside. When we vote on one person to represent such a large body of people, they are expected to incorporate all of their opinions and make an even compromise. This is nearly impossible when the people you are representing are from different backgrounds and living conditions. So much that they are sometimes oblivious of each other. When the Athenians had their democracy, they had an election that had nothing to do with opinion, almost luck, and they weren't allowed to be in that position long enough to pose too much control. On the other hand, this took longer for them to make and act on their decisions because one person can decide something while a group can argue. I think that the Athenians would commend us on our ability to take quick action and make quick decisions. I think that the Athenians would say that their democracy was more just but that our present day democracy is more practical.
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