TED-ED: What did democracy really mean in Athens? - Melissa Schwartzberg

The video explores the concept of lottery-based governance, as practiced in ancient Athens, where most government positions were filled by random selection from citizen volunteers, a process known as sortition. Unlike modern representative democracies, Athens was a direct democracy with wide citizen participation. The video discusses the historical context, civic duties, and critiques of this system, including its exclusion of women, slaves, and foreigners. It also examines modern implications and whether sortition could address issues like wealth influence and professional politicians in today's democracies.

What was the primary method of selecting government officials in ancient Athenian democracy?

• Inheritance

• Appointments by the king

• Sortition

• Elections

What was the role of the Boule in Athenian democracy?

• To elect the generals

• To set the agenda and evaluate proposals

• To enforce laws

• To collect taxes

Which group of people was excluded from participating in Athenian democracy?

• Merchants

• Landowners

• Foreigners

• Men

Which philosopher criticized Athenian democracy as being anarchic?

• Aristotle

• Socrates

• Plato

• Epicurus

What modern democratic practice is an example of sortition?

• Referendums

• Jury duty

• Presidential elections

• Parliamentary debates