The establishment of democracy in ancient Athens was a crucial moment in human history. It was a type of governance that valued citizen participation and free public debate. Yet, this revolutionary system was shockingly different from the inclusive democracies the civilized world is so proud of.
Once we look deeper into the intricate details of Athenian democracy alongside modern democratic practices, we can clearly see profound differences. These differences are focused especially on issues such as the participation in the public life of women, slaves, and non-citizens. Additionally, their rights were nowhere near what we would call today ”equal” to those of Athenian men. These disparities are revealing: Not only do they highlight the clear evolution of democratic ideals throughout history but also prove that modern societies have come a long way to achieve what we take today for granted.
The Athenian democracy was established largely because of the radical reforms that Cleisthenes introduced in the late 6th century BC. These reforms were further boosted and advanced under Pericles’ leadership. These two men created something truly remarkable and revolutionary for the ancient Greek standards of the time.
The reforms they introduced focused on the notion of direct political engagement. They gave the right to the citizens of Athens to take their destiny into their own hands. We should never forget that this was a concept previously unfathomable. We are talking about a world dominated by monarchies, aristocracies and oligarchies. So, this new form of governance gave the right to male citizens to gather in the Agora. There, men could debate and decide on matters of state. Men could influence the course their city would take and shape everything, from laws to decisions about the various war efforts of Athens.
Yet, this pioneering system was inherently exclusive. Participation in the democratic process was limited to a relatively narrow demographic. The only ones who were allowed to enjoy the privileges of Democracy were male Athenians who were of age and not enslaved.
Women, who played a fundamentally important role within the household of ancient Athens were entirely excluded from this political life. The list of exclusions of the Athenian Democracy did not stop there though. There were vast populations of slaves and metics who were totally barred from any political involvement. Metics were non-Athenians who lived in Athens and lived off of doing less prestigious jobs. The metics were in a sense what we would call today immigrant workers. Metics could live their entire lives within Athens, knowing no other place as their homeland, without ever gaining the rights of the Athenian citizens.
This selective approach to democracy shows a significant difference from modern interpretations of democratic governance. Today, free Democracies around the world champion inclusivity and the right of all individuals to participate in the political process. Exclusions like these of ancient Athens seem unthinkable to the modern-day societies we live in. The Athenian model, however, while foundational, is actually our proof that the evolution required to achieve a truly free and democratic society is not always straightforward.
The painful path to universal suffrage
In clear contrast with the extensive exclusions of the Athenian Democracy, the modern democratic system is defined by the cornerstones of inclusivity and universal suffrage.
However, we all know that this evolution towards embracing a broader electorate did not happen overnight. It was the result of centuries-long battles fought by thousands of people on multiple fronts.
The 19th and 20th centuries were the time when crucial steps towards inclusivity were finally taken across Europe and America. These times were shaped by radical movements that tried really hard to dismantle the barriers to participation faced by women and many other marginalized groups.
The women’s suffrage movement culminated in milestones like the 19th Amendment in the United States. Almost 25 centuries later, this was what shattered the precedents set by Athenian democracy. By insisting that gender should not determine one’s right to vote or participate in governance, these movements made history with their fight.
Similarly, the civil rights movement fought hard to eliminate racial discrimination in voting in the United States and elsewhere. People who dedicated their lives to this cause challenged and ultimately eradicated the legal barriers that prevented people of color from taking their future into their own hands. This brought a long-sought end to the practices that discriminated against African Americans and other minority groups for decades.
These movements, among others, signify something fundamental: They influenced deeply the adaptive nature of democracy. They also proved that the relentless pursuit of a more equitable and representative society is a cause worth fighting for.
These movements confirmed that what makes our democracies strong is their ability to use our society’s contradictions to their advantage. This principle was clearly absent in ancient Athens. Despite that, modern-day communities showed that this can become a cornerstone of the modern democratic process.
Through these old struggles for inclusivity, the democracies of the 20th and the 21st centuries managed to address and rectify the exclusions of the past. We, as a whole, recognized that the path to true universal suffrage was a fundamental piece in the puzzle of democracy that was missing for centuries.
Women no longer excluded
The exclusion of women from political life in ancient Athens shows clearly the huge differences between this type of Democracy with the inclusive nature of modern democratic societies. Despite the crucial role women played in religious ceremonies and family life in ancient Athens, they were systematically excluded from the political landscape of this powerful Greek city-state. Their voices were meticulously silenced in the public discourse that shaped the fate of Athens and the Greek world as a whole.
It is worth noting that this exclusion was not just the reality because of what people believed was right or wrong at the time. It was a fundamental aspect of the democratic structure itself, as it was a foundational element of a system that was completely male-centered. One could argue that by excluding the majority of the population from the democratic process, what we now call the ”direct democracy” of Ancient Athens was nothing but a myth. However, we should not forget that revolutionary and radical changes very rarely occur without any mishaps and never materialize perfectly from the beginning. The journey from these fundamental exclusions to today’s equal rights of women in our democracies shows clearly the significant transformation in the values of Western societies and broadly of the world.
Today, women are not only voters but also key figures in governments around the world. Although not participating to the level we would all want, women play an important role in policy, decision-making, and leadership across the globe and in almost every sector. This change is not simply a matter of legal rights though. It truly represents a profound change in the perceptions of us all regarding the capabilities and roles of women.
The inclusion of women in the political sphere of today’s world has shown us that it can bring about a more balanced way of governance. Studies have demonstrated that women’s participation in politics sometimes leads to greater emphasis on social welfare, justice, and equality in policy decisions. It also offers to our nations the unique perspectives and priorities that women can bring to the table.
Addressing the plight of the marginalized
Apart from women, though, ancient Athens showed no particular interest in the rights of other marginalized populations, including slaves and metics, the non-citizens who were, nevertheless, free. These practices of seclusion were an integral part of the Athenian economy and society. However, they do stand in direct opposition to the principles of equality and universal human rights that one would expect from a democratic society. The evolution of democracies has been significantly influenced by the recognition of these injustices.
In modern times, the protection of the rights of minorities and the fight against systemic racism are central to the democratic agenda. Efforts to include immigrants and refugees in the democratic process are still ongoing in many parts of the world. Another aspect of this in today’s political arena is the recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples, notably in places like the US, Canada and Australia. These efforts try to address the inequalities faced by racial and ethnic minorities even today and they reflect a broader understanding of democracy. Our political system is not meant to be a system that includes just some of us but all of us. This fundamental change of thinking acknowledges that a democracy can only be as strong as its commitment to protect and include the most vulnerable.
Of course, the challenges in achieving this ideal are many. They involve not just legal reforms but also profound societal change to overcome prejudice and discrimination, particularly against what we could call the ‘modern-day metics’: Immigrants and refugees.
From exclusion to representation and beyond
The modern democratic systems of the Western world today place particular emphasis on diversity, equality, and representation, apart from the obvious universal suffrage. This is how the political system stops being just a system of governance and becomes a tool for the collective good, at the expense of the privilege of the few. The relatively recent introduction of mechanisms such as proportional representation in democratic nations has been very important in this regard. Lawmakers in many countries tried to ensure that political institutions reflect the diversity of the societies they represent, making our democracies embrace the reality of our societies.
Moreover, modern democracies have increasingly recognized the importance of social policies that reduce inequalities regardless of their nature or origin. This includes efforts to address economic and educational inequalities, as well as health care access, among other issues. This holistic approach of including everyone in the democratic process shows that the battle will always remain ongoing despite the many steps forwards that we have all taken so far.
Embracing history whilst looking ahead
The impact that the Athenian democracy had on the Western world is undeniable. It was these ancient Greeks who laid the groundwork for the development of democratic governance. However, the journey from the Agora of Athens to the global spread of liberal and democratic ideals has not been easy. There has been a constant struggle to expand the scope of participation and this doesn’t end on universal suffrage. To address the inequalities and adjust to the expectations for a better society for us all, policymakers have a lot of work to do.
This gradual and non-linear transition from the exclusionary practices of the Athenian democracy to the inclusive, representative systems of today has not been a simple task either: It shows us what a profound shift humanity has had in the way it perceives democracy itself. Although many could argue that the democratic systems of today have never been more inclusive and open, we all know that they face different types of challenges today: For example, directed and weaponized information, extreme political polarization along the erosion of democratic institutions are issues that we will have to face head-on in the near future. These threats are only a handful of the challenges that are upon us. They are the reason why we need to be vigilant and always ready to fight for the progress that has been achieved. Democracies are not a given and should never be taken for granted. In protecting our democratic values, inclusivity and equity for all, we protect our very own historical heritage.
