Final answer:
The Greeks limited voting rights to citizens only in order to uphold the principles of direct democracy, emphasize civic duties and responsibilities, and protect against external influence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Greeks limited voting rights to citizens only for several reasons:
- Direct democracy: The Greeks believed in the concept of direct democracy, where citizens have the power to make decisions directly. In order to ensure the participation of informed and responsible individuals, they restricted voting rights to citizens who had a stake in the community.
- Civic duties and responsibilities: The Greeks valued the idea of civic duty and believed that citizens should actively participate in the affairs of the city-state. By limiting voting to citizens, they emphasized the importance of being actively engaged in political decisions.
- Protecting against external influence: By restricting voting to citizens, the Greeks aimed to protect their city-states from external influence or manipulation. They feared that non-citizens might vote based on their own interests or the interests of foreign powers, which could undermine the integrity of their self-governing communities.
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