Principles of Classical Democracy

Principles of Classical Democracy:

The standards of classical democracy or Athenian democracy are mentioned below:

- The chief political ideals were equality among all people, liberty and respect for law and justice. The Athenians paid high and glowing tribute to justice and law. Which is generally called rule of law. That system prevailed in ancient Greece and from there it later on, ramified in other parts of Europe.

- Because of the pervasiveness of equality in Greek city-states all the citizens could get the opportunity to participate in the policy/decision making process of the state. Thucydides stated the ideals and aims of Athenian democracy in an address attributed to Pericles’ funeral.

- Thucydides (460-399 BC) claimed that Athenian democracy was unique in the sense that its constitution, system of administration, institutions were not copied from other systems. Rather the Athenian democracy was a model to be followed by others. Every Athenian had equal right to be equally treated by law.

- Equality before law and equal treatment of law enabled justice to prevail in almost all the spheres of society. Political life was free and open. All the citizens took active interest in public of fairs and naturally they were not at all neglected. Every man showed obedience to law and authority. Disputes were settled among themselves.

This theoretical dogma of democracy was gripped into several criticisms.

1. The Athenian democracy was limited only to a small fraction of population. The male citizens above the age of 20 could take active part in the affairs of state. The female citizens, irrespective of their qualification, had not the liberty or right to participate in the policy-making affairs. So the classical democracy was the democracy of the male citizens or patriarchs. The women had no civil or political rights.
2. Large numbers of Athenians were also unentitled to participate in the proceedings of the city-states. They were immigrants and slaves. In Athens, large numbers of immigrants lived and their contribution to Athenian culture, development etc. was not negligible at all. The slaves in Athens constituted a major part of the whole population and the Athenian economy and development rested on their labour. But they were not permitted to take part in the offices and other branches of the state. The treatment meted out to slaves and immigrants does not prove the existence of rights and equality in Athenian society.
3. All inhabitants did not get equal status and all the opportunities were not open to all.
4. Many scholars stated that Athenian democracy as the oppression of the minority.
5. Held has said that various aspects of the classical democracy can legitimately be questioned.

Aristotle’s explanation of Democracy:

According to Aristotle, “The foundation of democratic constitution is liberty. People constantly make this statement implying that only in this constitution is there any share in liberty at all”. Every democracy has liberty for its aim. “Ruling and being ruled in turn” is one element of liberty.

Aristotle believed that only in democracy ruling and being ruled in turn take place. It is absent in a state which is not democratic. The absence of the opportunity to rule is the symbol of slavery. He also asserted that in his democracy equality is to be interpreted numerically and it is not based on merit.

Principles of Democracy:

Aristotle has postulated certain fundamental principles of democracy. These may also be called the basic features of democracy.

Following are the fundamental principles:

1. Officials of the city state will come through the elections and all citizens are eligible for all posts or offices.
2. A common rule will operate throughout the state and this rule is rule over each and each by turn over all.
3. All the citizens are eligible for all posts excepting the posts which require special qualifications or experience.
4. No tenure of office dependent on the possession of property qualification.
5. The same man not to hold the same office twice. A man will be allowed to hold office only for once in his lifetime. However, in the field of warfare this principle will not hold.
6. Aristotle prescribed short tenure of office.
7. Jury courts will be chosen from all the citizens and will adjudicate on all.
8. The Assembly (in Greek it was called Ecclesia) will have the sovereign authority over anything except minor matters.
9. Payment services in assembly, in law courts and in the offices shall be regular.
10. Good birth, wealth and culture shall be the marks of the rule of the few. The opposite shall be the rule of the many.
11. Perpetual tenure of office is not favoured by democracy.