Final answer:
Athenian democracy was a direct democracy limited to male citizens, while modern U.S. democracy is a representative democracy with broader inclusion. Referendums and town meetings in the U.S. provide examples of direct democracy within a mostly representative system.
Step-by-step explanation:
Differences Between Athenian Democracy and Modern U.S. Democracy
The democracy of ancient Athens was a form of direct democracy, where adult male citizens had the right to vote on laws and policies directly. The Athenian Assembly was a major institution of governance, where citizens debated and voted on legislative and executive matters. However, it was not a full democracy as conceived today; only about 15% of the population of Athens was eligible to participate, excluding women, slaves, and foreigners.
In contrast, modern democracy in the United States is a representative democracy. Citizens elect representatives who make decisions on their behalf. This includes the President, Congress at the federal level, and various state and local governments. Despite this representative structure, some elements of direct democracy exist, such as referendums and town meetings in certain regions.
Cleisthenes is often credited with expanding the reach of democracy in Athens by allowing all male citizens to vote and be eligible for public office, radically shifting Athenian governance towards a more inclusive system, though still limited by today's standards.