Final answer:
The correct answer is option c) Various social classes wanted a say in governance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Why semidemocratic governments emerged in some Greek city-states can be attributed to option c) Various social classes wanted a say in governance. In the Archaic Age of Greece, society was traditionally dominated by the elite landowners, or aristoi, who controlled the government. Yet, over time, the common people, or kakoi, influenced by new ideas and the necessity of commoners as troops in warfare, began to demand land and a more significant role in government decision-making.
This led to the development of more inclusive forms of government in some city-states. One notable example is the Athenian democracy, which, through a series of reforms, allowed a greater extent of public participation, albeit limited to certain classes of male citizens.
The Greeks also had a strong dislike for disorder and chaos, which tyranny could bring. To avoid such instability, some city-states ended up embracing forms of government that involved more citizen participation. Furthermore, the self-governing polis with consensual governments became a key characteristic of Greek civilization where free adult males had a stake in creating laws and imposing taxes. This system contrasted markedly with earlier monarchies, where rulers claimed divine sanction.