User:LGreg/sandbox/Approaches to Knowledge (LG seminar)/Group 2/History/History of Democratic Politics/

Members : Louison, Kumayl, Qingyun Li, Joe

How and when did it emerge ?

The term "democracy" first appeared in ancient Greek political and philosophical thought in the city-state of Athens during classical antiquity. The word comes from demos, "common people" and kratos, "strength". Led by Cleisthenes, Athenians established what is generally held as the first democracy in 508–507 BC. Cleisthenes is referred to as "the father of Athenian democracy." Athenian democracy took the form of a direct democracy, and it had two distinguishing features: the random selection of ordinary citizens to fill the few existing government administrative and judicial offices, and a legislative assembly consisting of all Athenian citizens. (In the year 507 B.C., the Athenian leader Cleisthenes introduced a system of political reforms that he called demokratia, or “rule by the people.” ... Although this Athenian democracy would survive for only two centuries, Cleisthenes' invention was one of ancient Greece's most enduring contributions to the modern world.)

Examples of democratic politics

Examples of nations who govern democratically are fairly simple to find, and it is also quite clear when nations are under authoritarian rule. It is much harder to classify how democratic a nation is when they are led by a mixture of the two extremes.

The Democracy Index uses a 0-10 grading to rank countries on how democratic their political systems are.

Democratic Politics has an undeniably rich history which is notably increasingly intertwined with modern day politics. This is often recognised in the study of politics especially in university courses. Dr Tim Beasley Murray explores the history of democracy itself and analyses the texts of Plato, Aristotle and more in a bid to look deeper into the history of democratic politics and the crux of it all: Power and Participation. The key tool of modern day comparison gives a key insight into why this is studied and more importantly, the methodology in which it is done.

How has it changed ?

pro-democracy (tribalism) - Mesopotamia (primitive democracy) - Athens ('the birthplace of democracy') - 'The Rome Republic'

What is interesting is how democracy has lapsed in history i.e. in Italy, Russia and some even argue Germany. Even in North Korea today democracy has not prevailed. Whether history will repeat itself in this regard, is an interesting topic.

Another notable fact of the history of democratic politics is contextual democratic politics which will soon become history. Some policies are inherently good, but are marketed as such, to a cynical people who are far more believing of so called realistic goals, which may be democratic, but soon just become history e.g. Labour policies.