origins of democracy
Democracy is the ideal value of human societies around 500 years before current era it is called the golden age of ancient athenian society
This is where democracy really flourished
The word demos means people in greek ( the rule of the people, by the people, for the people)
The ancient athenians were the first civilization to have great deal of trust in human beings
(Demo people)
They saw human nature of demos as
Good
Rational
Inherently political
By contrast, civilizations that existed around and before Athens, were governed by kings and autocrats claiming divine authority to do so or a theocracy (political power based on religious authority)
Consequently, if the king is believed to be a god, one assumes that he is the only individual with the capability to govern justly and wisely, Therefore the only individual allowed to exercise Politics.
The ancient athenians revolutionized the role of the individual or the “demos” from being passive, obedient subservient (subject) to the the authority of kings to being actively engaged in shaping the laws governing their cities. (Polis)
Ancient Egyptians were copy cat of each other and are a subject to a god like figure
People (demos) under the Athenian direct democracy became sovereign citizens
Citizens were free thinkers, relaxed doesn’t need permission of the king or of the pharaoh to be a thinkers
Subjects are stiff and subservient
Direct democracy, now the demos no longer rely on a centralized god-like authority to shape the laws of the city (polis)
Modern age are what we call indirect democracy or a republic
The polis is now governed by rational individuals who understand the importance of the common-good
What’s good for the common will be ultimately good for us.
The people no longer can rely on a central authority for their laws, but instead they have a moral obligation to be constantly engaged as citizens.
The demos are now ruling themselves. They are exercising Direct “Demos” cracy
The process of direct democracy
Deliberation: each citizen was expected to participate on a daily basis in an intellectual and rational debate over the issue that affected the polis in common. Consequently, politics in democracy is all about the common-good of the polis.
The word peers is the greek word for city
The word polus means cities
Compromise: once each citizen had a hair chance to express his opinion about issue being debated, they would start a process of compromise.
The athenians understood that one citizens alone cannot know everything but as a rational individuals, they could contribute by bringing their personal views, life experience and knowledge that other fellow citizens might lack. This process would demand respect for each other, and a need to compromise in good faith.
They didn’t consider women citizens only males
Majority rule and minorities rights
Once this process of deliberation and compromise Is finalized the citizens would bring the proposal to a vote.
The first ballot: if a citizen voted against the proposition or measure, he would drop a black pebble into a large vase. If a citizen voted in favor of the measure or proposition he would drop a white pebble
The counting of the votes: (pebbles) would take place in front of the entire community and citizens. If 50% plus one voted for the measure, then it would become the law that would govern the polis.
This entire process of debating, compromise, searching for the common-good, and voting, all for the well being of the polis, is also known as politics. The most human activity, according to Aristotle.
Humanism and Secularism
As you can see a democracy brings human beings to the center of the process of government, Since religion is a deeply subjective and a personal affair; the ancient. Athenians removed it from their public life, also known as secularism.
The law of the land would be shaped by flawed but engaging rational human beings also known as humanisms. Consequently, policies would be made by the demos, would be of the demos, and for the benefit of the demos: Government of the people, by the people and for the people
The American Constitution
It is imperative to point out the secular and humanistic nature of the supreme law of the land in the United States (The Constitution)
The opening words “we the people” indicate the secular roots and intentions of the document
The absence of the word “god” and “divinity” indicates the rejection of the theocratic rule by the framers.
The first amendment: the establishment clause, and the freedom to exercise religion