Democracy: Ancient Greece, Elitism, and Participation
Definition of Democracy
The word Democracy means ‘government of the people’. In a democratic society, government is by a majority of elected representatives. However, there are differing views on the limits of this majority rule. Some believe the majority should govern without restriction, while others believe it should be limited. The legitimacy of democracy as a political order is not enough to determine the sovereignty of a country.
The Roots in Ancient Greece
In the 6th century BC, government was available to all citizens in Athens. However, slaves, women, foreigners, and those under thirty were excluded. Citizens made decisions directly in the Assembly.
Key Differences Between Ancient Greek and Modern Democracy
- Size of Communities: Greek communities were small, fostering familiarity among members.
- Absence of Class Opposition: There was no significant opposition between classes.
- Lack of Separate Institutions: Public positions were obtained by lot, and officials were accountable to the Assembly.
- Blurred Lines Between Public and Private: Political participation was integral to daily life.
Similarities Between Ancient Greek and Modern Democracy
- Rational Argumentation: Authority in the Athenian polis was based on rational argument.
- Public Participation: Closely related to rational argumentation, Aristotle considered participation a fundamental human characteristic.
- Importance of Education: Education played a crucial role in preparing well-informed and honest citizens.
Elitist Democracy
Max Weber and Joseph Schumpeter developed theories where democracy serves as a mechanism to accept or reject government. The people’s only task is to grant legitimacy to the experts who govern.
Schumpeter argued for a more realistic definition of democracy. He took these steps:
- He used the classic definition of democracy as a base.
- He showed the abstract nature of concepts in the definition, arguing for a change.
- He proposed a new definition: “Democracy is a mechanism for making political decisions. After the vote, the town elects individuals to gain decision-making power.”
The Market Mechanism Analogy
This view compares democracy to a market: Voters are consumers, and politicians are sellers of goods. Individuals seek their own benefits, and political parties aim to gain votes. Thus, the legitimacy of governance is based on periodic elections.
Participatory Democracy
Elitist theories fail to account for diverse systems and their justifications. They misunderstand the essence of democratic institutions, overlooking the ideals that complement them. These ideals assert how democracy *should* be. Democracy is attributed to something more than just a system.
Political realism recommends accepting reality as it is. However, humans can change this reality.
Representation and Participation
Active participation in decisions affecting individuals is essential for dignity and autonomy. Strengthening political participation, beyond representative democracy, leads to a more equitable society.
This does not mean ignoring representative mechanisms or establishing direct democracy exclusively. Participatory democracy accepts the main institutions of liberal democracy but seeks to deepen it through greater participation in all areas of society. State power must be decentralized, encouraging citizen participation in institutions that affect social life.
Freedom as Self-Determination
The democratic scheme emphasizes freedom as self-determination. While some advocate for decentralized political power in small groups, others argue for extending democracy to other social and economic power centers. People should not only decide who should solve problems but also be involved in solving them themselves. Participation in politics leads to better understanding.