The Reflection of Ancient Greek Democratic Thought in Modern and

Contemporary American Politics

Fengyuan Tian

Foreign Teacher Building Dormitory, Xianglin South Street, Jinan, China

Keywords: Ancient Greek Democracy, American Politics, Enlightenment Thinkers, Democratic Principles, Political

Influence.

Abstract: This article explores how Athenian democracy—through institutions like the Ekklesia (Citizen As-sembly),

Boule (Council of 500), and Dikasteria (People’s Courts), as well as principles such as iso-nomia (equality

before the law) and isegoria (equal right to speak)—influenced the development of modern American political

thought. It also discusses how these democratic ideals shaped the works of Enlightenment philosophers such

as John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who in turn in-spired the political foundations of the United States.

Their ideas are reflected in key American doc-uments, such as the Declaration of Independence, the Federalist

Papers, and the U.S. Constitution. The article further analyzes how Greek democratic values have been

adapted into American institu-tions, including the jury system, representative government, and the separation

of powers. Ultimate-ly, the Athenian democracy reveals the relevance of its core ideals in shaping

participatory govern-ance and the principles of modern democratic societies.

1 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1.1 The Basic Structure of the

Athenian Democratic System

The structure of the Athenian democratic system has

three essential parts: Ekklesia, Boule, and Dikasteria.

All the three institutions show the strong civic

participation and popular sovereignty in Athens. The

core of Athenian democracy is believed to be

Ekklesia. According to Young-Ho Park, Ekklesia's

primary meaning is a physical gathering at a

particular time and place. The Ekklesia had a civic

purpose, and Athenian citizens were responsible for

hearing, discussing, and voting on decrees with the

Ekklesia's authority.

Then, the Boule, Athens’administrative and

governing council, was responsible for setting the

agenda for the Ekklesia. The Boule was the central

administrative body of Athenian democracy,

consisting of 500 citizens elected by lot each year

from the ten tribes of Athens. Its main function is to

prepare the agenda for Ekklesia and oversee the day-

to-day operations including finance, foreign policy,

and public works. At the same time, Boule ensured a

rotation of political responsibilities, which could

minimize the influence of aristocratic elites. By

allowing ordinary citizens to participate in

governance, the Athenian democracy embodies the

characteristics of equal participation in politics.

The Dikasteria were citizen courts responsible for

judicial decisions in Athenian democracy. Juries

were formed from a large pool of volunteer male

citizens over 30 years old, often numbering 200 to

500 jurors per case. Judges were not legal experts, and

decisions were made by majority vote, without

professional lawyers or judges. This system reflected

the belief that justice should be in the hands of the

people, not a privileged elite. The Dikasteria served

as a check on political power and a practical

expression of popular sovereignty in the judicial

sphere. Park posits that participation in ruling by

attending the Ekklesia was of the highest importance

in Greek identity and pride. Citizens fulfilled their

role as citizens through those most significant means.

According to Kei Eun Chang, the part-whole

connection was responsible for the creation of ethical

space in the Greco-Roman world. He states, “The fact

that this concept recognized that an individual is a

part of a civic organism and of the cosmic whole

became a starting point for ethical theories in

antiquity. These individual-community relationships

only allowed for the possibility of virtuous behavior.

540

Tian, F.

The Reﬂection of Ancient Greek Democratic Thought in Modern and Contemporary American Politics.

DOI: 10.5220/0014389400004859

Paper published under CC license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

In Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Politics, Law, and Social Science (ICPLSS 2025), pages 540-546

ISBN: 978-989-758-785-6

Athenian democracy adopted the form of a

democratic assembly, effectively preventing the

concentration of power in the hands of a specific

individual or a small group. This ensured that every

citizen's rights were upheld in a fair manner, serving

as an early method of protecting equal civil rights. At

the same time, this form of mass gathering in a

parliamentary setting allowed for the convergence of

ideas, facilitating the formation of a collective

consciousness and the unification of national

strength, thereby avoiding ideological stratification

that could lead to conflict. “Civic participation” is a

great feature of Athenian democratic system. Ancient

Athenians gathered their spirits and created their

unique national thoughts through these methods. The

feeling of belonging to the whole is a form of an ethic

in which the parts that make up the whole take the

good of the whole into account. Participation and the

means by which citizens sought the good of the city

through common advantage were the means by which

every single man found significance and freedom.

1.2 Core Principles of Ancient Greek

Democracy

The core principles of ancient Greek democracy

include popular sovereignty, political equality, and

citizen participation. Popular sovereignty means that

political power originates from the people. In

Athenian democracy, all male citizens had equal

political rights, freedom of speech, and the

opportunity to directly participate in the political

arena. Political equality was reflected in the principle

that everyone is equal before the law when resolving

private disputes. Citizen participation was highly

valued. Thucydides noted that Athenians considered

a citizen who did not engage in politics not only as

someone minding their own business but also as

useless.

Athenian democracy emphasized the importance

of civic participation and public debate. As Aristotle

stated in his work “Politics,” the purpose of a political

community is to promote the common good, and

citizens should actively participate in decision-

making to achieve this goal. The idea of political

equality was also evident in the principle that all

citizens had equal opportunities to hold public office

and participate in the political process. This was

further reinforced by the use of random selection

(lottery) to choose government officials, ensuring that

power was not concentrated in the hands of a few

elites. Finley (2015) notes that this system of random

selection was designed to prevent the accumulation of

power and to ensure that a broad cross-section of

citizens could participate in governance.

1.3 Limitations of Ancient Greek

Democracy

Despite its pioneering nature, ancient Greek

democracy had significant limitations. First, it was

limited to free male citizens born in Athens,

excluding women, slaves, and non-citizens such as

metics (resident foreigners). Second, wealthy

individuals could still exert considerable influence

over politics, and skilled speakers could sway large

assemblies. Third, the frequent rotation of officials

hindered long-term political stability. Additionally,

direct democracy was only feasible in small city-

states like Athens and became impractical for larger

populations.

The exclusion of women and slaves from political

participation meant that a large portion of the

population was denied the rights and privileges

enjoyed by male citizens. This limited the scope of

democratic representation and participation.

Furthermore, the influence of wealthy individuals and

skilled orators could lead to the manipulation of

public opinion and decision-making processes,

undermining the principles of equality and fairness.

Hansen (1999) notes that the system of direct

democracy required a high level of civic engagement

and public speaking skills, which could be

advantageous for those with rhetorical abilities. The

frequent rotation of officials, while intended to

prevent the concentration of power, also made it

difficult for officials to develop long-term policies

and strategies. Cartledge (2003) notes that the

stability and continuity of governance were

challenges in the Athenian democratic system. The

system of direct democracy was also impractical for

larger populations and territories, as it required the

physical presence and active participation of citizens

in the political process. This limitation highlights the

challenges of scaling democratic systems to larger

and more complex societies (Osborne, 2010).

The Reﬂection of Ancient Greek Democratic Thought in Modern and Contemporary American Politics

541

2 THE INFLUENCE OF ANCIENT

GREEK DEMOCRATIC

THOUGHT ON THE

AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE

AND FOUNDING PERIOD

2.1 The Impact of Greek Ideas on

Enlightenment Thinkers

The Enlightenment was a period of intellectual

ferment in Europe and America, and Greek

democratic ideas played a crucial role in shaping the

thought of Enlightenment thinkers. Philosophers like

John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau were inspired

by Greek democracy and incorporated its principles

into their theories.

John Locke's ideas regarding natural rights and

government by consent were influenced by Greek

democratic thought. He contended that the role of

government was to safeguard the natural rights of life,

liberty, and property. The concept of individual rights

and the social contract can be traced back to the Greek

emphasis on the individual's importance in the

political process. He asserted that the objective of law

is to preserve and expand freedom, not to abolish or

restrict it. The Greek democratic ideal of allowing

individuals to freely participate in and impact

political decisions concerning their lives is reflected

in this.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau's concept of the general

will draw from Greek democratic ideals. He believed

the collective will of the people should guide the

government, which reflects the principles of Athenian

democracy. In The Social Contract, he emphasized

that the general will alone direct the state's forces for

the common good. This idea of the general will as the

foundation of legitimate government echoes the

Greek principle that political power comes from the

citizens' collective will.

The Enlightenment thinkers were deeply

influenced by the Greek idea that reason and

rationality should guide political decision-making.

They believed that by applying reason to political

problems, they could develop systems of government

that better served the interests of all citizens. This

intellectual legacy of Greek democracy provided the

philosophical foundation for the democratic

principles that would later be enshrined in the

American political system.

2.2 Reflections of Greek Democracy in

the Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas

Jefferson, is a document that reflects the influence of

Greek democratic thought. The opening lines of the

Declaration, “We hold these truths to be self-evident,

that all men are created equal,” echo the Greek belief

in equality and the idea that all citizens should have a

voice in the governance of their society. As Foner

(2005) notes, “The Declaration of Independence drew

upon a long tradition of political thought that

emphasized popular sovereignty and the rights of

citizens, dating back to ancient Greek democracy”.

The Declaration also outlines the grievances of

the American colonists against the British

government. These grievances include the denial of

the right to participate in the legislative process and

the imposition of laws without the consent of the

governed. These are issues that were central to the

Greek democratic experience, where the participation

of citizens in decision-making was seen as essential

to the legitimacy of the government. The colonists'

demand for representation and their rejection of

arbitrary rule reflects the Greek democratic principle

that political power should be derived from the

consent of the governed. As Appleby (2013)

observes, “The Declaration of Independence was not

merely a statement of separation from Britain but a

reaffirmation of the democratic ideals that traced their

roots to ancient Greece”.

The influence of Greek democratic thought is also

evident in the emphasis placed on popular

sovereignty in the Declaration. The document asserts

that governments derive their powers from the

consent of the governed and that the people have the

right to alter or abolish a government that fails to

secure their rights. This principle of popular

sovereignty, which was a cornerstone of Greek

democracy, provided the moral and philosophical

justification for the American colonists’ break with

Britain and their establishment of a new political

order based on democratic principles.

2.3 Connections Between Greek

Democracy and the Federalist

Papers

Hamilton et al. (1787) wrote The Federalist Papers, a

collection of essays that advocated for the ratification

of the U.S. Constitution. Greek democratic thought is

reflected in these essays in multiple ways.

One key connection is the concept of a

representative democracy. The Greek idea of direct

ICPLSS 2025 - International Conference on Politics, Law, and Social Science

542

democracy wasn’t practical for a large and diverse

nation like the United States. So, the Founding

Fathers adopted representative democracy, where

citizens elect representatives to make decisions for

them. This idea has its roots in Greek political

philosophy, which understood the significance of

giving citizens a say in politics while dealing with the

challenges of governing a large population. Madison

in Federalist No. 10 said a pure democracy couldn't

handle the issues of faction. The Founding Fathers'

solution was a representative republic. It moderated

the intensity of direct democracy yet ensured the

people's will was reflected in governance, showing

the adaptability and lasting relevance of Greek

democratic ideas.

The Federalist Papers also discuss the importance

of a system of checks and balances to prevent the

concentration of power in any one branch of

government. This concept is similar to the Greek

emphasis on the rule of law and the idea that power

should be balanced and restrained. The Greek

experience with democracy highlighted the dangers

of allowing too much power to be concentrated in the

hands of a few, and the Founding Fathers sought to

avoid these pitfalls by creating a system where

different branches of government could check and

balance each other. As Montesquieu, drawing on

Greek political thought, wrote in The Spirit of the

Laws, “There can be no liberty where the legislative

and executive powers are united in the same person”

(Montesquieu, 1989). The Founding Fathers were

aware of this principle and incorporated it into the

design of the U.S. Constitution to ensure that no

single branch of government could dominate the

others. This system of checks and balances reflects

the Greek democratic ideal of preventing the abuse of

power through institutional safeguards.

3 THE INFLUENCE OF ANCIENT

GREEK DEMOCRACY ON THE

U.S. CONSTITUTION

3.1 The Philosophical Origins of the

Division of Powers

The allocation of political powers stands as a

fundamental principle within the U.S. Constitution,

and its philosophical roots can be clearly traced back

to the ancient Greek democracy. In Greek thought,

the concept of dividing power among various

branches of government was ingeniously crafted with

a specific aim. It was meant to thwart the

concentration of power and guarantee that no single

group could hold sway over the entire political

process.

As Aristotle insightfully stated in “Politics,” “The

most primitive communities are families of men and

women, masters and slaves. Families combine to

make a village, and several villages combine to make

a state, which is the first self-sufficient community

(Aristotle, 1998).” This profound notion of

distributing power and constructing a balanced

government held immense significance for the

Founding Fathers. When they were meticulously

designing the U.S. Constitution, they drew inspiration

from it, believing that such a division would

safeguard the nation’s democratic system and foster

stability by preventing any undue dominance in

governance.

Aristotle’s political philosophy placed significant

emphasis on the necessity of a balanced government,

one that artfully incorporated elements of monarchy,

aristocracy, and democracy. His profound idea

exerted a notable influence on the Founding Fathers

during the establishment of the American

government.

They thus created three branches—the executive,

legislative, and judicial. Each branch was assigned

distinct powers and responsibilities. For instance, the

legislative makes laws, the executive enforces them,

and the judicial interprets them. The system of checks

and balances was put in place, enabling each branch

to check the others’ power. This way, it effectively

prevents any single branch from growing overly

powerful, safeguarding the nation's democratic

stability.

3.2 The Continuation and Development

of the Jury System

The jury system in the United States has its roots in

ancient Greek democracy. In Athenian democracy,

juries were composed of citizens who were selected

by lot to hear cases and make decisions. This system

was designed to ensure fairness and to prevent the

concentration of judicial power in the hands of a few.

As Finley (2015) notes in “Democracy Ancient &

Modern,” “The Greek concept of democracy

emphasized the equality of all citizens and their right

to participate in the political process, which is

reflected in the jury system's emphasis on citizen

participation in judicial decision-making.”

The U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to a

trial by jury in both criminal and The U.S.

Constitution firmly guarantees the right to a trial by

jury in both criminal and civil cases. This significant

The Reﬂection of Ancient Greek Democratic Thought in Modern and Contemporary American Politics

543

provision is deeply rooted in history, mirroring the

Greek belief that citizen participation in the judicial

process is of utmost importance. In ancient Greece,

ordinary citizens played a vital role in dispensing

justice, and the United States has carried forward this

democratic essence.

Over time, the jury system in the U.S. has seen

changes and adaptations to suit the modern context.

Nevertheless, it still vividly reflects the Greek

democratic ideal, enabling everyday citizens to be

part of the administration of justice, ensuring fairness

and a sense of public involvement.

3.3 Integration of Civic Participation

and Representative Democracy

The U.S. Constitution masterfully integrates the

principles of civic participation and representative

democracy, drawing upon the foundational concepts

that were first laid out by ancient Greek democracy.

The Greek democratic system was a remarkable

experiment in its own right, relying heavily on the

direct participation of its citizens. In the city-states of

ancient Greece, especially in places like Athens, the

people would gather in the agora or other communal

spaces. They would engage in lively debates, put

forward their viewpoints, and then directly vote on a

wide array of matters, whether it was about the

construction of new public buildings, the formulation

of laws, or decisions regarding warfare and peace. It

was a vibrant display of democracy where every

citizen had the opportunity to have a hands-on role in

shaping the course of their community’s affairs.

However, the United States, with its sprawling

territory that stretches across vast landscapes and a

population that is not only large but also incredibly

diverse in terms of ethnicity, culture, and beliefs,

needed a different approach. Thus, the U.S.

Constitution established a representative democracy.

In this system, citizens from all corners of the nation,

be it the bustling urban areas, the quiet rural towns, or

the remote regions, exercise their democratic rights

by electing representatives. These representatives,

who are chosen through a fair and competitive

electoral process, are then tasked with the

responsibility of making decisions on behalf of the

people who have placed their trust in them.

In summary, the combination of civic

participation and representative democracy holds

great significance. It mirrors the Greek democratic

ideal of having citizens engaged in societal

governance. Moreover, it's cleverly adapted for a

modern nation like the United States. With its vast

and diverse population, this blend allows people from

different backgrounds to take part. It ensures

democracy is inclusive, giving everyone a voice, and

functional, facilitating effective decision-making,

thus making the democratic system thrive.

4 THE MANIFESTATION OF

ANCIENT GREEK

DEMOCRACY IN MODERN

AMERICAN POLITICS

4.1 The Basic Structure of the Modern

American Democratic System

The modern American democratic system presents

itself as a complex and intricate structure that artfully

incorporates various elements derived from ancient

Greek democracy. Rooted in the principle of

representative democracy, it enables citizens to elect

representatives who then take on the responsibility of

making decisions in their stead. The U.S. government

is composed of three branches, namely the executive,

legislative, and judicial. Each branch has its own

clearly defined powers and responsibilities.

Moreover, the system of checks and balances is in

place, constantly monitoring and restraining the

actions of each branch to guarantee that no single one

amasses excessive power, thus maintaining a stable

democratic order.

The most primitive communities are those

consisting of families of men and women, masters

and slaves (Aristotle, 1998). A village is formed by

families, and a state is formed by several villages,

making it the first self-sufficient community. The

Founding Fathers' design of the U.S. relied heavily on

the concept of dividing power and creating a balanced

government. Constitution. Lawmaking falls under the

responsibility of the legislative branch, which is made

up of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Enforcing laws is the responsibility of the executive

branch, which is headed by the President. Law

interpretation is the responsibility of the judicial

branch, which is led by the Supreme Court. The

Greek democratic ideal of balancing power and

preventing its concentration in any one group is

reflected in this division of power.

4.2 The Evolution of Civic

Participation

Civic participation in modern American politics has

witnessed a truly remarkable evolution since the

ICPLSS 2025 - International Conference on Politics, Law, and Social Science

544

nation's very founding. In the early days, the right to

vote was an exclusive privilege reserved solely for

white male property owners, shutting out a vast

majority of the population. However, as the years

rolled on, significant progress was made. The 15th

Amendment opened the door for African Americans

to exercise their voting rights, the 19th Amendment

empowered women to have a voice in politics, and the

26th Amendment extended the opportunity to 18-

year-olds. These shifts have expanded participation,

aligning with the Greek democratic ideal of broad

involvement and making the political process

increasingly inclusive.

Modern technology has also transformed civic

participation. The internet and social media have

made it easier for citizens to access information,

express their opinions, and engage in political

discourse. Citizens can now make their voices heard

through online petitions, virtual town halls, and social

media campaigns. As Finley (2015) notes in

“Democracy Ancient & Modern,” “The Greek

concept of democracy emphasized the equality of all

citizens and their right to participate in the political

process, which is reflected in the jury system's

emphasis on citizen participation in judicial decision-

making.” Citizens' ability to participate in the

political process has been enhanced by technological

advancements, which aligns with the Greek

democratic emphasis on active citizen involvement.

4.3 Contemporary Case Studies

Contemporary American politics indeed offers

plentiful examples demonstrating the influence of

ancient Greek democratic thought. Take the 2020

presidential election as a prime instance. It vividly

spotlighted the significance of civic participation and

how crucial the role of citizens is in determining the

nation's course. Amid the tough circumstances

brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, with various

restrictions and difficulties, millions of citizens still

tenaciously exercised their right to vote. Whether

they chose to cast their ballots in person or opted for

the mail-in option, this remarkable level of

engagement truly reflects the Greek democratic ideal

of citizens actively involving themselves in the

political process.

The Black Lives Matter movement is another

example of the enduring impact of Greek democratic

principles. Inspired by the Greek emphasis on

equality and justice, this movement has mobilized

citizens across the country to advocate for racial

equality and police reform. The use of peaceful

protests, public demonstrations, and social media

campaigns mirrors the Greek democratic practice of

allowing citizens to voice their concerns and seek

change through collective action. As Tocqueville

observed in “Democracy in America,” “The principle

of the sovereignty of the people is the fundamental

principle of the American Constitution (Tocqueville,

2016).” This principle is evident in the way modern

American citizens engage in political activism and

strive to influence public policy.

In conclusion, it's undeniable that the reflection of

ancient Greek democratic thought permeates multiple

aspects of modern and contemporary American

politics. Whether it's in the foundational texts like the

Declaration of Independence and the Constitution,

which drew inspiration from Greek ideals, or in the

gradual expansion of civic participation over time,

such as through various amendments granting more

rights to different groups. Even in today's political

movements, we can see its imprint. The principles of

Greek democracy truly act as a solid bedrock,

continuously guiding and inspiring the growth and

evolution of democratic values and practices in the

United States.

5 CONCLUSION

Though ancient Greek democracy excluded women,

slaves, and non-citizens, its core principles—

equality, participation, and collective decision-

making—profoundly shaped modern politics,

especially in the U.S. This paper examines how

Athenian institutions inspired America’s founding

documents, representative government, and judicial

system. From Enlightenment thinkers to modern

policymakers, Greek democratic ideals have been

adapted, localized, and sustained in American

political life, bridging ancient and modern democratic

thought.

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