Introduction
The modern-day world is a democratic world which gives everybody the choice of doing whatever he wants to do as long as he does not infringe other people's rights. Much of that is owed to Pericles, who first implemented the Athenian democratic constitution half a century later after it was established some decades before 500 BC (Kagan, 2019). The rest of the world during this time maintained the hierarchical, monarchical and command societies. Though some people criticize the Athenian democracy that was established by Pericles but we must acknowledge that the Athenian democracy provided a ground that enables diversity to thrive and at the same time promoted open-minded thinking that resulted into civilization (Redmond, 2015). It is imperative for every leader to acknowledge that democracy must respect the dignity and autonomy of every individual and for the democracy to last the individuals must see that their well-being is connected with the community's well-being.
Arguments for Athenian Democracy
The Athenian democracy promoted political equality in high level by giving all males the same right to run for office, get elected and speak in the assembly (Redmond, 2015). Poor people also got state jobs and enjoyed the payment just as much as the rich and wealthy did. The system ensured that leaders operated within a given limit because anybody was given the power and mandate to bring a charge concerning a leader’s abuse of power to the people’s assembly, this promoted accountability from the officials in office. This self-governing motivated the citizens to be even more patriotic because everything that was happening in Athens was their own interest.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Pericles established an open society, a society in which there was nothing to be practised behind the scenes (Perry, 2018). Quite notably was the manner in which he openly received every willing person into his military troops and he did not mind whether they could be spies. He even openly practised his military techniques and never cared if the enemy was learning from him, this was much in contrary with the Spartans regime methods who concealed everything to themselves, forcing the population to join the military and taking them through harsh training (Perry, 2018). Pericles, on the other hand, left the door open for the citizens, only those interested in joining the army were to join. However, the only thing he reminded the citizens was that they had a duty of being patriotic to their country through responding fearlessly and ruthlessly to an enemy’s invasion.
The free will that Pericles promoted among the Athenians spurned them to victory and concurred every enemy. At one point Pericles said this to the Athenians "You must every day look upon the power of your city and become her lovers and when you had understood her greatness consider that the men who achieved it were brave and honorable and knew what was necessary when the time came for action. If they ever failed in some attempt, they were determined that, at least, their city should not be deprived of their courage and gave her the most beautiful of all offerings, for they gave their lives for the common good (Kagan, 2019).
Conclusion
In conclusion, Pericles portrayed what leaders should do to get the best out of democracy, and that is to empower free will and patriotism among the citizens. Over the years, the world has seen cases of democracy trying to break through the hard surface of oppression. It would be proper for the leaders to acknowledge Pericles and the Athenian democracy. This is because they emerged victorious against all the odds to set the example that a proper democratic rule can only work when the people are given the proper motivation and power to choose the kind of life they want for themselves and a reason to protect what they love.
References
Kagan, D. (2019). Periclean, Athens and Modern Democracy. Retrieved from http://www.aei.org/publication/periclean-athens-and-modern-democracy/
Perry, T. J. (2018). Pericles as a 'Man of Athens': Democratic theory and advantage in Thucydides. History of Political Thought , 39 (2), 235-268.
Redmond, F. (2015, December 16). Articulated Values of Athenian Democracy [Lucian of Samosata]. Retrieved from https://lucianofsamosata.info/wiki/doku.php?id=2012:articulated-values-of-athenian-democracy
