Final answer:
Cleisthenes is considered the leading proponent of Athenian democracy, having taken steps in 508 BCE to implement a democratic system that allowed all male citizens to vote and hold office. Pericles further developed Athenian democracy during the city's Golden Age, promoting a more inclusive and participative governance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Leading Proponent of Athenian Democracy
The leading proponent of Athenian democracy was Cleisthenes, who, in 508 BCE, took significant measures to establish a democratic system in Athens. Cleisthenes achieved this by allowing all male citizens, including the economically disadvantaged, to vote and be eligible for public office. An essential aspect of his reforms was the random selection of lawmakers and the establishment of new tribes that mixed men of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. This radical initiative advanced the Athenian democratic system, making it the first 'real' democracy in history. However, it was Pericles who, during the Golden Age of Athens, furthered these democratic principles. He expanded the role of thetes, citizens without wealth, in public office, and introduced state pay for jurors, thereby establishing a more inclusive and participative form of governance.
In an Athenian direct democracy, citizens would directly vote on legislation and executive bills, with participation open to adult, land-owning males. This type of governance emerged around the 5th century BCE and was part of a historical evolution that saw Athens transition from aristocratic rule to a society that cherished egalitarian ideals. While democracy in Athens was not without its limitations, it laid the foundational principles of democratic participation that continue to inform modern political systems.