POL 3335 Quiz 2 Prep Flashcards
1
Q
What is the significance of the Greek Polis?
A
- Following the dark ages, Greek civilization established “city states” known as the polis.
- are small independent city states w/their own governmnent structures, laws, customs, etc.
- had different systems of councils, assemblies, and leaders
ex. Athens; Sparta; Thebes; Syracuse
2
Q
What are the main elements of Solon’s reforms?
A
- debt relief
- four property classes based on wealth (not hereditary)
- 3 of the 4 wealthier classes were now able to hold office
- all citizens were granted the ability to participate in the Assembly and Law courts
- creation of a Boule (council) of 400 people that were elected by lot
Solon was an Archon during 594 BCE
3
Q
What is the significance of Cleisthenes’ reforms?
A
- were meant to prevent tyrant rule (ostracism)
- marked the beginning of classical athenian democracy
- more power was given to the Assembly
- INSONOMIA (equality before the law) was established
4
Q
What were cleisthenes reforms?
A
- the reorganization of tribal groups
- created local councils called demes; each now had a local assembly and a leader
- council of 500 (created from the newly created tribes)
- ostracism
- expanded selection by lot
5
Q
What is the code of Draco?
A
- first formal law code;known to be harsh
- expanded the gap between the rich and the poor (ex. poor farmers fell into debt and rich estate owners seized their land and would sell them into slavery.)
- said to be written in blood
- harsh punishments such as death, posioning, starvation, etc.
- came about in 620 BCE
6
Q
What were the institutions of Athenian Democracy?
A
- The Assembly (Ekklesia)
- The Council (boule)
- The Courts (Heliaia)
7
Q
What is synoecism?
A
- the process refers to the merging small communities into a city state (polis)
- under one leadership and urban center
8
Q
What are archons?
A
*established in the 8th and 7th century BCE
* had two meanings
“any public official in Athens”
* referred to the “9 Archons” who were the chief officials of Athens
* expanded from 3 to 9
* mainly composed of aristocrats and retired archons would join the council of areopagus.
* areopagus oversaw who would be selected to be an Archon
* after solon’s changes, the tenure had gone from life to 1 year
9
Q
Who were the Hoplites?
A
- **Core of the Greek Military, were heavy infantry citizen soldiers called to fight for the Polis (city state) **
- known for the phalanx technique where they would move as one unit with shields lining the outside. soldiers would depend on each other as it was important to stay unified.
- their wealth was dependent on the individual
- wealth could be measured by the Hoplite’s armor. As they were required, to bring their own weapons, the quality of armor, weapon, and shields varied on wealth and social status.
- large majority of hoplites had slaves.
- hoplites were everyday citizens
10
Q
What is the significance of vote by lot?
A
- “by lot” meant at random
- was meant to make political offices less prestigeous as individuals from various social classes.
- can be argued to ensure fairness, equality, prevention of corruption, and principle of participation from the people.
11
Q
What is the significance of vote by election ?
A
- beneficial to incumbent officers who tried to ensure re-election.
- can determine what issues are addressed while the political officer is in office.
12
Q
What is the significance of Pericles reform of paying for public service?
A
- argued to be an incentive to get citizens involved in democracy; stressed the role of poorer citizens being the essential foundation of Athenian democracy
- as jurors participated and left their regular work hours, the stipend was meant to cover this.
- described as a modest stipend
- Pericles was able to introduce dramatic changes in Athenian domestic and foreign policy beginning in the 450s B.C.
- As this proposal benefited “ordinary male citizens,” Pericles was able to introduce dramatic changes in Athenian domestic and foreign policy beginning in the 450s B.C.
13
Q
What is the role of the Ekklesia?
A
- also referred to as the “Demos”
- served as a regular gathering of male Athenian citizens to listen to, discuss, and vote on decrees that affected every aspect of Athenian life, both public and private, from financial matters to religious ones, from public festivals to war, from treaties with foreign powers to regulations governing ferry boats.
- held 40 meetings a year at minimum
- 5000-6000 citizens would be in attendance
- citizens had to be over 18 years of age and have 2 years of military service to attend
- decisions were determined by simple majority vote
14
Q
What is the role of Boule (Council)?
A
- Was a council of 500 that set the agenda for the Assembly
- key function: prepare the bill for the consideration of the Assembly
- administrative function
- members chosen by lot (50 per tribe)
- “the boule is the servant of the Assembly”
- legislative branch adjancent
15
Q
What is the structure of the Athenian judicial system?
A
- archons served as administrators
- juries were randomly selected and were large in size
- no judges or lawyers
- individuals would plead their own case
- 2 types of cases: public (graphai) and private (Dikai)
16
Q
What is the functioning of the Athenian judicial system?
A
- role of private citizens to handle complaints
- no lawyers/no judges
- speechwriters; logographers
- 2 step process: people decide who is guilty and then vote
- If prosecutor does not get at least 20% of jury votes, then they would pay a fine for lawsuit
- If considered guilty, another phase would ensue
- Punishment would be decided
- Person who is being sued would propose a penalty
- Person suing them plaintiff would propose another penalty
17
Q
How does a trial take place?
A
- case would have to be intiated
- trials would last a day
- plaintiffs and defendants had equal time to speak through the use of the water-clock
- dependent on the suit, the water-clock could be filled up to eleven measures.
- juries would then vote by dropping ballots into two jars
- no lawyers as people could plead their own case (had logographers however)
18
Q
How was the Athenian justice system a pillar of democracy?
A
- The three pillars were the Assembly (Demos); Council of Boule, and the People’s Court (heliea)
- allowed people to directly politically participate
- the demos had kratos as they were known to be in power
19
Q
What is Graphe paranomon?
A
- A suit brought against laws or decrees that had already been passed, or earlier when they were merely proposals.
- seen as a replacement of ostracism
- argued that it resembles SCOTUS’s judicial review
20
Q
What are Plato’s objections to democracy?
A
- liberty as a guiding principle is dangerous because it allows for mob rule and tyrant rule
- tyranical regime is the natural product of the “lawlessness” of democracy’s liberty
- People act justly to seem just. They are afraid of being seen as doing wrong.
21
Q
What are Socrates objections to democracy?
A
- not anyone should be able to vote; voters must possess knowledge
- could lead to demagogues.
