Aristotle's Definition Of Democracy Essay
1 Introduction
Constitutionalism is the idea, often associated with the political theory that an authority wielding public power or purporting to represent the interest of the governed and should be legally limited in its powers, and that its authority or legitimacy depends on its observing these limitations. The origins of the term democracy can be traced back to Ancient Greece. According to Heywood like other words ending in ‘cracy’, democracy is derived from the Greek word kratos, meaning power or rule. Democracy thus means ‘rules by the demos’ (the demos referring to ‘the people’, although Greeks originally used this to mean ‘the poor’ or ‘the many’).
2 Democracy
2.1 Definition of democracy
According to Heywood amongst meanings that
…show more content…
Aristotle believed in constitutional rule, the constitutional ruler who rules over willing subjects because he rules through law and constitutional rules and regulations and not by whim or caprice of rulers or rulers. Aristotle puts emphasis on the constitutionalism, making law sovereign and governments the servants of law. According to Aristotle, democracy is that form of government in which the poor who constitute the majority, are supreme. It may also be defined as the policy based on the principle of civil equality and freedom. Aristotle supported elections to be supported by adult suffrage or rotation without any proper qualification. The tenure of office should be short duration in democracy so that all may get an opportunity to share them.
2.3 Disadvantages of democracy as identified by Aristotle and Cicero
Aristotle hated democracy though he possessed keen insight even in about democratic set up. It is a majority rule where the majority is poor and non-virtuous. This means that whoever is in office may not act in the best interests of the state. Aristotle mentions that the poor are concerned with getting more wealth, which means they are putting their individual good above the common good while they are engaged in ruling.
3 South African constitutionalism compared to the United States of America
How Did Jefferson And Hamilton Influence The Bill Of Rights
1113 Words | 5 PagesThrough the fundamental ideals of the founding fathers the United States government has been sculpted into a variation of a democracy influenced by Madison, Jefferson, and Hamilton. These men each provided concepts and qualities of their respective government that are directly reflected in the constitution and the bill of rights. Although, conflicting principals can be identified through each individual’s interpretation of a democracy, there is no doubt Madison, Jefferson, and Hamilton structured our government into what it is today. Madison described a democracy in which wealth needed to be equally distributed among the people in order to function.
Republican Form Of Government In The Original Compromise By David Robertson
474 Words | 2 PagesIn a pure democracy, the power lies in the people as well, but is exercised directly by the citizens rather than by their elected representatives. After breaking free from British rule, America’s founders sought to stray away from government that did not value the voices of the people it governed. When working towards creating a new government, the founder’s beliefs were rooted in “republicanism,
How Did Greek Influence American Democracy
296 Words | 2 PagesWorld History Paper BY:SABASTION FOSTER Rome, Greece, and England all had a big part in helping the development of democracy. Rome and Greece had the biggest influence on U.S democracy, But Greece had the biggest influence in democracy by just having the idea of demokratia “rule by the people.” Greece was the biggest influence on democracy by staring the idea of demokratia “rule of people” in 507 B.C. and had the first manarchy that was almost the president back then. They splitted up into three institutions which was Ekklesia, who wrought laws, Boule were representative and dikasteria court.
Aristotle Just And Unjust Analysis
1082 Words | 5 PagesAs we have established, if the primary role of the state is to secure and maintain the most possible happiness for the people, the surely an unjust state would not be a state capable of achieving this goal. Monarchies seem the ideal constitution to Aristotle because the virtue of the monarch is not diluted by the potentially selfish desires of others. However, this is also the least stable of the
Essay On The American Revolution
544 Words | 3 PagesProblems in America only grew worse when democracy was being added to the mixture of already complicated politics. In Woody Holton’s book, Unruly American and the Origins of the Constitution, he stated that, “many Americans. . . were growing ‘tired of an excess of democracy,’ a ‘prevailing rage of excessive democracy. . .’ [or] ‘democratical tyranny.’” Democracy was an attempt at home rule among the colonies, but not everyone was happy with this extreme excess of colonial citizens contribution to the government.
Essay On Australian Democracy
1267 Words | 6 PagesThe term democracy is a contested concept with many classifications. A government made up of the people for the people is the easiest definition to focus on. A democracy needs have these key elements of a political system for choosing the
Ancient Greece Source Analysis
815 Words | 4 PagesEvaluation: This source was written by Aristotle in 350 BCE as he was present at the time that democracy was developed it makes this source a primary source making it more reliable. The source provided a detailed explanation of the ancient Greeks democratic processes and development as the source was highly detailed it provides for a more reliable source. The source is translated by Sir Frederic G. Kenyon he is a palaeographer and a biblical and classical scholar this means that the source has been translated by a qualified professionally, thus meaning it is more reliable. This source is useful as it provides insight into the laws and rules of ancient Greece at the time this helped in the understanding of the ancient Greek society and what
Not Being Democracy Dbq Analysis
185 Words | 1 PagesBeing Democracy The people could legislate by them self alone (Document B). Not being Democracy The voting was only held in Rome. So if you didn’t have the time or money you couldn’t vote (Document
Democracy In America From 1750 To 1776
1471 Words | 6 PagesDemocracy is where people in a society can enjoy the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. While there were changes within America, they were not democratic. More people had political opportunities near the 1770s but America became less democratic because of the conflicts between different religious groups and the division of upper and lower classes in terms of social
Democracy In The Fundamental Orders Of Connecticut
796 Words | 4 PagesDemocracy is a form of government in which power lies with the people. This means that the people of the said community can either rule directly or indirectly by electing officials to make decisions for the betterment of the people. Democracy is an aspect that can be included in many different governments including, republics, monarchies, and theocracies. In America today, democracy is something we take pride in. This form of government had to start somewhere, however, and ideas of democracy can be shown in many early documents written by some of the first peoples to colonize the Americas.
The Pros And Cons Of Ancient Athenian Democracy
298 Words | 2 PagesDemocracy, a form of government, allows the people in their own nationality to vote for people in order for them to become representatives as a result to vote on new laws that would affect their own nationality. One of the many states of Greece, ancient Athens was indeed not truly democratic as a result of not inclusive, other than male citizens, to gain authority in ancient Athens, ¨Demokratia was ruled by male citizens only, excluding women, free foreigners(Metics) and slaves.¨(Document D), therefore ruling Athens was only accessible to male citizen since since women, free foreigners(Metics), and slaves were not allowed to rule as a result of not being male citizens. One of the many states of Greece, ancient Athens, was indeed not truly democratic as a result of not even using the essentials of democracy that is used today, “Thus, by our standards, it was oligarchy, not democracy.¨(Document D), therefore ancient Athens was not using democracy as their form of government, they were using oligarchy,another form of government in which a small group of people has power and control, as their form of government instead of democracy.
The Principles Of Democracy And Republicanism Essay
517 Words | 3 PagesIt also represents the control of an organization or group by the majority of its members. Democracy did not originate with the founding of the United States. The term "democracy" comes from two Greek words: "demos" meaning the people and "kratia" meaning power or authority. It is defined as being a government by
Definition Essay On Democracy
1127 Words | 5 PagesHowever when analyzing the etymology of the word democracy we come to find out that demos means the people and kratia means rule or power in greek. As stated in the article “The Problem with Democracy Today,” contrary to other political institutions who holds the power is not clearly stated “if the regime is a
Essay On Democracy In Ecuador
1159 Words | 5 PagesFirst of all, it is important to know the definition of democracy and its aspects. According to Peter Joyce (2005), the democratic government was initiated in the Greek city state of Athens in the fifth century B.C., so as a consequence, the word ‘democracy’ derived from two Greek words, demos (meaning ‘people’) and kratos (meaning ‘power’) , which means ‘government by the people’. Secondly, Giovanni Sartori (1997), a Political Science Researcher states that ‘democracy’ is an abbreviation that means Liberal Democracy. He distinguishes three aspects: democracy as a principle of legitimacy (power not derives
Aristotle's Citizenship
1750 Words | 7 PagesDebate surrounding the question of citizenship, and the ensuing ideals about what makes a good life, has existed for as long as citizenship itself – providing many contrasting views and interpretations about the peak of human flourishing. Aristotle himself recognizes this fact, stating that “…there is often dispute about the citizen…since not everyone agrees that the same person is a citizen” (Politics 65). This is indicative, then, of the fact that there will be many different interpretations of human existence and its purpose; due to the fact that there is not even agreement on citizenry and what the ideas of it reflect for human life. The juxtaposition of two such views, those of Aristotle and Locke, allow thinkers to evaluate not only two
More about Aristotle's Definition Of Democracy Essay
How Did Jefferson And Hamilton Influence The Bill Of Rights
1113 Words | 5 PagesRepublican Form Of Government In The Original Compromise By David Robertson
474 Words | 2 PagesHow Did Greek Influence American Democracy
296 Words | 2 PagesAristotle Just And Unjust Analysis
1082 Words | 5 PagesEssay On The American Revolution
544 Words | 3 PagesEssay On Australian Democracy
1267 Words | 6 PagesAncient Greece Source Analysis
815 Words | 4 PagesNot Being Democracy Dbq Analysis
185 Words | 1 PagesDemocracy In America From 1750 To 1776
1471 Words | 6 PagesDemocracy In The Fundamental Orders Of Connecticut
796 Words | 4 PagesThe Pros And Cons Of Ancient Athenian Democracy
298 Words | 2 PagesThe Principles Of Democracy And Republicanism Essay
517 Words | 3 PagesDefinition Essay On Democracy
1127 Words | 5 PagesEssay On Democracy In Ecuador
1159 Words | 5 PagesAristotle's Citizenship
1750 Words | 7 Pages