History of Democracy

Ancient Origins

• Democracy originated in ancient Athens, Greece around 500 BCE
• Athenian democracy was characterized by:
  • Direct participation of citizens in decision-making
  • Election of officials by lottery
  • Accountability of leaders through regular audits

Medieval and Enlightenment Periods

• During the Middle Ages, democracy declined and feudalism prevailed
• The Enlightenment (17th-18th centuries) saw a resurgence of democratic ideas:
  • Thinkers like John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Thomas Hobbes contributed to the development of democratic theory
  • Emphasis on individual rights, social contract, and consent of the governed

American and French Revolutions

• American Revolution (1775-1783):
  • Established the United States as a federal republic with democratic principles
  • Influenced by Enlightenment ideas, particularly those of Locke
• French Revolution (1789-1799):
  • Established the First French Republic with democratic ideals
  • Influenced by Rousseau's concept of the "general will"

Expansion and Evolution

• 19th and 20th centuries saw the spread of democracy to other regions, including:
  • Europe (e.g., UK, Germany, Italy)
  • Americas (e.g., Latin American countries, Canada)
  • Asia (e.g., Japan, India)
• Key developments:
  • Expansion of suffrage (e.g., women's right to vote)
  • Protection of individual rights and freedoms
  • Establishment of international organizations (e.g., UN) to promote democracy

Contemporary Democracy

• Modern democracies face challenges, including:
  • Decline of trust in institutions
  • Rise of populist and nationalist movements
  • Threats to individual rights and freedoms
• Ongoing debates and reforms focus on:
  • Electoral reform and voter access
  • Campaign finance regulation
  • Representation and accountability of elected officials

Ancient Origins

• Democracy emerged in ancient Athens, Greece around 500 BCE
• Athenian democracy was characterized by direct citizen participation in decision-making
• Officials were elected by lottery in ancient Athens
• Leaders in ancient Athens were held accountable through regular audits

Medieval and Enlightenment Periods

• Feudalism dominated during the Middle Ages, marking a decline in democracy
• The Enlightenment (17th-18th centuries) revived democratic ideas
• Thinkers like John Locke emphasized individual rights and social contract
• Jean-Jacques Rousseau contributed to democratic theory with the concept of the "general will"
• Thomas Hobbes also influenced democratic thought during the Enlightenment

American and French Revolutions

• The American Revolution (1775-1783) established the United States as a federal republic with democratic principles
• The American Revolution was influenced by John Locke's ideas on individual rights and social contract
• The French Revolution (1789-1799) established the First French Republic with democratic ideals
• The French Revolution was influenced by Rousseau's concept of the "general will"

Expansion and Evolution

• Democracy spread to other regions during the 19th and 20th centuries, including:
  • Europe (e.g., UK, Germany, Italy)
  • Americas (e.g., Latin American countries, Canada)
  • Asia (e.g., Japan, India)
• Suffrage expanded, including women's right to vote
• Individual rights and freedoms were protected
• International organizations like the UN were established to promote democracy

Contemporary Democracy

• Modern democracies face challenges, including a decline in trust in institutions
• Populist and nationalist movements are on the rise
• Threats to individual rights and freedoms persist
• Ongoing debates focus on electoral reform and voter access
• Campaign finance regulation is a contemporary issue in democracy
• Representation and accountability of elected officials are under scrutiny