Final answer:
Ancient democracy, exemplified by Athens, was a direct form limited to a small fraction of the population, whereas contemporary democracies are primarily representative, aim for universal suffrage, and include wider participation. Representative democracy is deemed more efficient and practical for large modern nations, though elements of direct democracy such as referendums exist.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of democracy originates from ancient Greece, particularly Athens. During the 5th century BCE, Athens implemented a form of direct democracy, allowing all male citizens to attend the Assembly and make decisions on laws and public policy. In contrast, today's democracies, such as the United States, are largely representative, meaning electorates vote for representatives who make decisions on their behalf.
In Athenian democracy, eligibility was limited, with only about 15% of the population having the right to vote, whereas contemporary democracies aim for universal suffrage. Furthermore, Athenian democracy excluded women, slaves, and non-citizens from participating, unlike modern democracies which strive for inclusive participation regardless of gender or social status.
The efficiency of governance in representative democracies is one of the reasons for its prevalence over direct democracies in large populations. Representative democracies are considered to produce better outcomes over time, as theorized by philosophers like Richard Arneson and Amartya Sen. Though pure direct democracy is considered impracticable in large nations, elements such as referendums and town meetings in the U.S. provide citizens with direct influence on specific issues.