Ancient Greek history and civilization

¶ … Moenidas

I write to you to bring you tidings, and hope that your health is as it should be. I have an ulterior motive, however. I am writing to persuade, Moenidas.

As you know, I am an elder statesman here in Athens. The age of Pericles has dawned, and it is clearer than ever that our system of direct democracy is indeed the most superior form of government. I write today to persuade you to in turn persuade your colleagues in the Council of Elders to change to our form of government.

The time has come, Moenidas, to switch to a more egalitarian system, such as ours. Our Ekklesia is selected by all adult male citizens. We do not allow only some in our society the right to choose our leaders. Rather, it is the right -- nay, duty of all adult males to vote, and to be involved in our political processes.

Why, do you ask? The answer is simple. Our way of life is dictated by a pure majority. What the people want is what the people get. This minimizes political strife, and maximizes the potential for acting in a such a manner that pleases the most people.

We do not limit voting to the ruling or wealthiest classes, or assign our governing to a tyrant. Rather, in a peaceful purely democratic process, we have smooth transitions and changes of power, and there is the clear understanding that if a minority group does not succeed at one particular time in pushing political measures forward, it must simply re-double efforts to persuade those in the majority or in disparate minorities to join it and elect their representative the next time.

Moenidas, limiting government rights to a select -- albeit educated -- few, is not only morally wrong, it is not effective. You have what amounts to an oligarchy. That is a system of government in which only a few powers truly speak and lead. Granted, it is not as tyrannical as a monarchy, but truly, the effect is almost the same. The poorer, less educated people in Sparta are truly at the mercy of the wealthier, more educated ruling class.

Direct democracy is beautiful for another reason: It encourages every adult male in society to become involved, educated and passionate about political issues. You may argue that only the best informed should have a say; in our system, all are informed because all do have a say.

That is why, every time Athens makes a major decision; whether it is to enter a war, to trade or to put a different group in power, all adult male in society are involved, and involved intricately. This is the best system of government, and I urge you to urge your peers to adopt it.

Yours in Pericles' name,

Polidas

My dearest Polidas,

Thank you first, for your thoughts on the Athenian Direct Democracy. I have considered them carefully, and I regret to tell you that I remain more convinced than ever that the Spartan form of government is better.

We mix democracy and oligarchy and the result is a pure, efficient and compassionate form of government. We do not let every adult male have a say in government simply because not every adult male is fit to make the decisions that control everyone's lives. Rather, the poorer, uneducated classes know nothing about complex governmental processes and systems, and should, for their benefit as well as everyone else's, stay out of government.