1 / 25

Roots of Democracy

Roots of Democracy. 10.1. Students relate the moral and ethical principles in ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, in Judaism, and in Christianity to the development of Western political thought.

ilar
Download Presentation

Roots of Democracy

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Roots of Democracy 10.1

  2. Students relate the moral and ethical principles in ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, in Judaism, and in Christianity to the development of Western political thought. Analyze the similarities and differences in Judeo-Christian and Greco-Roman views of law, reason and faith, and duties of the individual. Trace the development of the Western political ideas of the rule of law and illegitimacy of tyranny, using selections from Plato's Republic and Aristotle's Politics. Consider the influence of the U.S. Constitution on political systems in the contemporary world.

  3. Ancient Athens, Greece • Direct Democracy • Duties of Citizens • Legislature • Jury • Rule of Law & Reason

  4. Direct Democracy • Democracy = Rule by the people • Direct Democracy = Vote for/against laws not through representatives • Citizens make political decisions

  5. Duties of Citizens (individuals) • Citizens = Male, 18+, citizen parents • Participate in juries, legislature, and law proposals • Use Reason

  6. Legislature • Solon – Council of 400 • Cleisthenes – Council of 500 • Pericles – Assembly: Any citizen could attend

  7. Jury • Most important duty of a citizen • 201-2500 citizen men • Randomly selected • Decided guilty or innocent and punishment • Banish a leader to prevent too much power

  8. Rule of Law and Reason • Universe created in an orderly way • Universe functions through unchanging laws • Man can understand the universe and its laws through reason and logic • Foundation for DEMOCRACY

  9. Video on Greeks

  10. Socratic Method Political Science Science & Logic Philosophy Love of Wisdom Observation and Reasoning Ethics and Morality Socrates Plato Aristotle

  11. Socrates • “What is the greater good?” • “The unexamined life is not worth living” • Important to examine laws, social customs, and religious values. • Socratic Method • Loyal to Athens & democracy • Tried and convicted for corrupting city youth & not respecting the gods • Death by hemlock (poison)

  12. Funny Philosophers • Steve Martin as Socrates

  13. Plato • Student of Socrates • The Academy • Rational Thought • Equality at birth • 3 classes: workers, soldiers and philosopher rulers • High regulation serves citizens’ best interests

  14. Aristotle • Student of Plato • Rule of law • Government of many • Despised tyranny – stood above the law • “Golden Mean” • Lyceum taught all subjects

  15. Ancient Roman Republic Preserved and added to the Greek ideas of Democratic government • Republic • Checks on Power • Written Codes of Laws

  16. Ancient Roman Republic

  17. Republic • Representative Government = citizens elect leaders to make governmental decisions • Indirect Democracy

  18. Checks on Power • Senate – Patricians • 2 Assemblies – Other classes • Veto • Dictator – appointed in crisis to have absolute power.

  19. Written Code of Laws “A government of Laws, not men” • 12 tables (tablets) • Commoners demand laws be written down • Everyone will have equal access to laws • Innocent until proven guilty • Burden of proof on the accuser • Unreasonable laws could be set aside

  20. Judaism • One God • Obedient to God • God will protect and provide a homeland

  21. Scriptures • Torah = “Instructions” • Laws through stories and history • Strict moral standard

  22. Contributions • Laws enforced by courts • Rulers not above the law • Support rule of law • Individual responsible for moral conduct • Faith and obedience to God

  23. Christianity • One God • Justice, morality & service to others • Equality & Dignity

  24. Contributions • Foundation of Western culture • Laws • Social Structure • Individual worth • Social services • Free will = respect for choice

  25. Roots of Democracy

More Related