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Book recommendation. The Athenian Democracy in the Age of Demosthenes by Mogens Herman Hansen (Blackwell, 1991)

Doug_Nightmare

Active member
Joined
Nov 21, 2018
Messages
717
Location
Washington Island, WISCONSIN. Out in Lake Michigan
A few months ago the literature teacher cried to me that we have to teach our children about Americanism and capitalism, Tears in her eyes, and she is notorious for using the Bible as a text.

More recently my ELCA pastor prated about participatory democracy.

This book makes it clear that the Athenians faced precisely the same self-governance problems that we, the US and the West, do, and failed. They failed even with the advantages of a tiny population.

The book is well researched by an renowned philologist and densely footnoted. I highly recommend it.
 

color of law

Accomplished Advocate
Joined
Oct 7, 2007
Messages
5,936
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Participatory democracy is a model of democracy in which citizens have the power to decide directly on policy and politicians are responsible for implementing those policy decisions.

The last time I checked this country is a republic.

I'd be finding another church.
 

solus

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2013
Messages
9,315
Location
here nc
Uh, Doug, why on earth would i waste my time reading about an ancient civilization lead by a leader who failed at his efforts and then took their own life?

Nawl...more interesting chatting with the young’n about his perception they/we/someone/somewhere is about to end or cause the end of civilization as we know it!
 

OC for ME

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2010
Messages
12,452
Location
White Oak Plantation
...funny how "we" continually reference a civilization that had a good idea and yet failed to perpetuate their good idea...look where Greece is now...
 
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