Paragraph One:
Democracy in Athens, one of the oldest forms of government, has had a profound impact on the development of democratic governance worldwide. The United States is no exception. Three ways in which Athenian democracy has influenced the US government include the emphasis on citizen participation, the concept of a written constitution, and the jury system. The Athenians believed in the active involvement of every citizen in the affairs of the state, and this principle is reflected in the US system of democracy. The United States promotes citizen involvement in various forms, including voting in elections, holding public office, and participating in community decision-making processes.
The concept of a written constitution, which is a cornerstone of the US system of governance, can be traced back to Athens. Athenians believed that a constitution would protect the rights of citizens and prevent the abuse of power. In the United States, the Constitution serves as the supreme law of the land and outlines the fundamental principles and values that govern the nation. Additionally, the jury system, which was used in Athens to ensure that citizens had a voice in the legal system, is still a fundamental feature of the US justice system today.
Paragraph Two:
Although the United States has been influenced by Athenian democracy, there are significant differences between the two systems. One major difference is that Athens practiced direct democracy, where every citizen could participate directly in decision-making, while the US is a representative democracy, where citizens elect officials to make decisions on their behalf. This has resulted in a system that is more efficient in terms of decision-making but also more removed from the direct influence of the citizenry.
Another difference is that Athenian democracy was limited to male citizens, whereas the United States has progressively expanded the right to vote to include women, minorities, and individuals over 18. Furthermore, in Athens, political participation was restricted to those who had completed military service, which excluded women, children, and foreigners. In contrast, the US has no such restrictions, and citizens are free to participate in the political process regardless of their background or gender.
Finally, the Athenian system of government had a much smaller population base to draw upon for its democratic practices. Athens was a city-state, while the United States is a vast and diverse nation with a much larger population. This has necessitated the development of a more complex system of government that includes various levels of government, such as federal, state, and local governments, to effectively manage the diverse needs of the population