Admirable aspects of Athenian democracy as presented in the Speech of Pericles
Pericles speech has shaped the understanding of Athens democracy and can be used to provide an insight to the admirable aspects and a comparison to the modern democracy. When Pericles offered the speech to commemorate the troops who had fallen in the battle, he offered perceptions of democracy of the ancient Athens and explained how it operated with admirable aspects presented by Thucydides in the Speech of Pericles. The end of the first year of the Peloponnesian war was marked by emotions of patriotism especially attributed to the fallen heroes. In his writing, Pericles addresses several issues in the Athenian government including democracy, freedom, and service to community and city. The analysis of Pericles funeral oration reveals several admirable aspects of justice and citing them as unique and virtuous in the system of governance provided by democracy.
Pericles describes democracy according to the Athenian government as a system of government where men were allowed to advance their courses on merit rather than classification by class or wealth. According to Pericles through observance of democratic principles, Athens served as an example to other through its democratic rulership. Pericles describes democracy as the lack of rivalry of the state with other states and instead cites it as an exemplary city. He describes the Athenian democracy as permissive to individuals by allowing capable of ruling to do so through the elimination of hindrances instilled by classifications of class and merit. Another admirable aspect of the Athenian government institution of democracy d its provision of peace and elimination of fear mainly of retaliation for their neighbors. Democracy promoted acting within the law served as an assurance of peace which is glorified by Pericles. Athenian democracy is admirable in its provision for equal justice for all. Pericles acknowledges the requirement of equality to all people of Athens which causes them to share and glorify their superiority over poleis.
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Pericles describes the Athenian government as admirable and qualified as the ultimate government that provides a conducive environment and in possession for the most valuable virtues of the Athenians which include liberty honor, justice freedom, and courage. The democracy in Athens provided a balance and moderation in patriotism viewed as admirable democracy aspects. Pericles describes the balance and fairness as follows: “We cultivate refinement without extravagance and knowledge without effeminacy; wealth we employ more for use than for show and place the real disgrace of poverty not in owning to the fact but in declining the struggle against it.”
It is admirable that the Athenian people in the spirit of democracy were able to put aside all small issues and wants in favor of the greater good of their city. The speech describes them as bound together in strong bonds and mutual trust for one another and the desire to exercise their freedom. The spirit of democracy was admirable in Athens since it allowed the citizens to obey the law willing without coercion. Since democracy concentrates power in the majority, the Athenians were able to rule themselves as they followed the rules which helped them to acquire democratic qualities of open-mindedness, tolerance, and wisdom to adapt to various situations and overcome challenges easily. Democracy in Athens leads to the development of education and increasing military knowledge in society and the ability to protect its citizen from insecurity and invasion.
Failure to accomplish the ideal vision of democracy in ancient Athena and present-day America.
Democracy as described by Pericles in the speech in the representation of an administration that favors the many and not the few. Democracy entails the ability of every man to afford equal justice to all despite the difference in private lives. However, Athens failed the democracy as outlined to the speech which is also a typical case in the present day America. The issue of democracy and equality was described under the neglect of social standing in reference to class and wealth. Pericles outlined that social status was not to hinder any person from pursuing political aspirations to serve in any capacity. However, in the modern society political positions are offered to the affluent in the society, and only those in the right social classes can serve. The poor have been marginalized with no prospects of democracy or justice obscured by his condition.
In the speech, Pericles described freedom as a fruit of democracy which extended even to ordinary life.in the modern times' justice is not witnessed at normal levels due to oppression and discrimination. Pericles has outlined a society without jealousy, anger or offending one another or rivalry. However, Athens and other countries have failed to uphold such aspects of democracy as citizens practice rivalry with one another especially in the political perspectives leading to arguments, anger, and disruption of peace envisioned in democracy. Pericles believed in a democracy that allowed men to pursue their private interests and also seek the highest goals and place their interests in the eyes of the city. In modern society, private life puts a huge obstacle for those who wish to serve their countries in political or public affairs. Private life has been used to marginalize and hinder qualified and able men from serving the people in their states despite their capacities and capabilities as an evaluation of an individual ability is now measures by examining private life. Therefore the value of democracy can be evaluated through an analysis of Athenian democracy present by Pericles in his funeral oration as well as a comparison to modern day democracy.
