Origins of Democracy in Ancient Greece [Hardcover]

Kurt A. Raaflaub (Author), Josiah Ober (Author), Robert Wallace (Author), Paul Cartledge (Author), Cynthia Farrar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 11, 2007

This book presents a state-of-the-art debate about the origins of Athenian democracy by five eminent scholars. The result is a stimulating, critical exploration and interpretation of the extant evidence on this intriguing and important topic. The authors address such questions as: Why was democracy first realized in ancient Greece? Was democracy "invented" or did it evolve over a long period of time? What were the conditions for democracy, the social and political foundations that made this development possible? And what factors turned the possibility of democracy into necessity and reality? The authors first examine the conditions in early Greek society that encouraged equality and "people's power." They then scrutinize, in their social and political contexts, three crucial points in the evolution of democracy: the reforms connected with the names of Solon, Cleisthenes, and Ephialtes in the early and late sixth and mid-fifth century. Finally, an ancient historian and a political scientist review the arguments presented in the previous chapters and add their own perspectives, asking what lessons we can draw today from the ancient democratic experience. Designed for a general readership as well as students and scholars, the book intends to provoke discussion by presenting side by side the evidence and arguments that support various explanations of the origins of democracy, thus enabling readers to join in the debate and draw their own conclusions.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A balanced, high-quality analysis of the developing nature of Athenian political society and its relationship to 'democracy' as a timeless concept." - Mark Munn, author of The School of History"

From the Inside Flap

"A balanced, high-quality analysis of the developing nature of Athenian political society and its relationship to 'democracy' as a timeless concept."--Mark Munn, author of The School of History

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 253 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press; 1 edition (January 11, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520245628
• ISBN-13: 978-0520245624
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,820,296 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Democracy between two hard covers!, March 14, 2007

By 

A. Harten "Arthur" (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Origins of Democracy in Ancient Greece (Hardcover)

This is a great book. It covers current thinking from five important theorists on Acient Greek Democracy. Not only do the opinions represented seem to cover the entire field, but the authors differ on certain elements, and, referencing each other, state how they each believe democracy evolved from an ancient system of nobles and elites who all answered to a very outspoken public. From hierarchical hero worship to networked, participative, communal, hoplite warfare, to egalitarian politics with a limited demos, of course... The method of presenting differing opinions that build off of, and in a sense duel with eachother is a brilliant application of the ancient greek sciences of rhetoric that democracy is so loved for in the first place, in my opinion. This has been an invaluable and timely addition to my library.