Discuss the development of Greek democracy. Was Greek democracy "democratic"?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

ANSWER:
The development of Greek democracy is in many ways ironic. Changing political and military trends ultimately led to the extension of political participation to a broader base of individuals. In the mid-seventh and sixth centuries B.C.E. tyrants, usually disgruntled aristocrats or military leaders, seized power in many of the city-states. These tyrants required the backing of the middle class, who were also members of the new nonaristocratic army, the hoplites. These middle-class backers recognized the power of their support and demanded increased political rights. The elimination of the aristocratic military and political monopoly and, within a generation or two, the demise of the tyrant government laid the foundation for changes toward democracy. In fifth-century Athens the importance of the rowers in the navy further catalyzed the extension of political privileges to the lower classes. Citizenship was eventually extended to all free, adult males. Greek democracy was not truly "democratic" by modern American standards because a sizable portion of the population (women, slaves, and immigrants) were not citizens; however, it was a daring and influential experiment with nonmonarchical government.