Beginnings of Democracy

Democracy, the cornerstone of American pride, is an institution that depends solely on the participation and pride of it's constituents. Without participation democracy is meaningless and without pride in one's chosen government little can be accomplished. For when the general populace puts their will, their collective wisdom together the impossible becomes possible and the greatness of democracy surpasses all others. Athens is the picture perfect example of such a democracy, indeed the very first to ever be founded in this world and thus there is no better example of a citizen lead government to be had.

The first question that must be asked is why a democracy how a democracy was put into place. What actions and events must have transpired to form a government that was run by the people? The answer lies with the Greek rulers, starting with Solon. After creating the hierarchy that allows for the distinguishing between the classes, Solon's system allowed for easy determination of who was allowed to participate in the political process, simply the ability to afford armor. Thus Solon created a system that forced the citizenry to seek military status in order to gain a political voice.

After Solon's system was in place it would still take adjustments to create a democracy representative of those that we know today. After a time, Cleisthenes would come to power and then the true brilliance of a democratic reformation would begin. Cleisthenes would divide the traditional four tribes of Athens into ten new tribes, intermixing the old family alliances and tribal loyalties as to eliminate the old ruling classes. He increased the Council membership from 400 to 500, and he divided each new tribe up into an area that consisted of one urban/suburban, one coastal, and one inland region. This division of tribes and equal geographic disbursal was meant to ensure that each area would be equal in thought and representation in the Assembly.

After all former ties to family and clan were dissolved, there would be no confusion as to who each citizen was loyal to. Pride developed naturally in each district in their own ways of life and their national democracy. Citizens strove to rise higher in the hierarchy to achieve the right to vote and in doing so made the Athens all the greater. Democracy was born.