constitution of athens from cleisthenes to the contemporary constitution
TRANSCRIPT
Thinking pointCulture, type of rule, individual rights and voting
Greek State
Folks there is no wrong answer here and think of your movies ….300….. “THIS IS SPARTA!!!!” 15 minutes then construct on the board and share at least two per table
2. Aristotle's Doctrine Of The Mean encouraged thoughtful brave action, not inaction or rash action in the face of danger.
Assessment Point
Utilizing the chart provide two real world scenarios off applying this doctrine forwarded by Aristotle? 5 minutes then share
Aristotle on Citizenship Criteria
Cities decide criteria (states do today); “citizen…differs under each form of government; and
our definition is best suited to a democracy” ; State = partnership of citizens in a constitution Citizen “shares in the administration of justice, and in
offices” ; Offices may be continuous (assembly, juries); Or discontinuous: general, archon; Residence alone does NOT confer citizenship.
Good Man/Good Citizen
Good man: Possesses perfect
excellence (arete) Excellence is rule over
himself and others (as master of household)
Good ruler is both wise and good
Good man and good citizen do not necessarily coincide;
Good man can be good citizen;
He is most likely to share in “honours of the state”.
Good citizen Possesses a citizen’s
excellence Relative to the constitution Democratic citizen:
– Obey like a freeman;– Rule like a freeman;
Citizen need not be wise (why?)
Good citizen not necessarily a good man (esp. in democracies!).
How would Athenian and Spartan citizens differ?
Citizenship of “Mechanics” (manual workers)
“Is he only the true citizen who has a share of office, or is the mechanic to be included?…if none of the lower class are citizens, in which part of the state are they to be placed?”
“….no more absurdity in excluding them than in excluding slaves and freedman….In ancient times, and among some nations, the artisan class were slaves or foreigners…The best form of state will not admit them to citizenship”;
“but if they are admitted, then our definition of the excellence of a citizen will not apply to every free man…but only to those who are freed from necessary services” (par. 1277-8). Do NOT copy
Objections to “Mechanics” as Citizens
Some are rich and meet property qualifications in oligarchies!
Thebans only admit businessmen (mechanics) after ten years’ retirement;
“no man can practise excellence who is living the life of a mechanic or labourer”;
“such a life is ignoble and inimical to excellence” (7.9) Only those who share in the “honours” of the state
should be citizens in full sense; Why does Aristotle think this?
Aristotle and Athens on Citizenship
Aristotle, Pol., Book III Cities determine criteria; Workers = citizens in
extreme democracy Best if workers excluded
(1278a1); B/c they lack leisure and
education to participate in ruling and being ruled;
They may serve as oarsmen!
Const. Ath. Rigorous examination
process Male offspring Two Athenian parents; law
on epigamia Free-born; faking carries
heavy penalty; Military service Included citizens from
lowest classes; No occupational
requirement.
Summary of his thoughts
“man is a political animal”: we can only achieve the good life by living as citizens in a state. In discussing the economic relations that hold within a city-state, Aristotle defends the institution of private property, condemns excessive capitalism, and notoriously defends the institution of slavery.
Citizenship question 1
Aristotle said that “he who has the power to take part in the deliberative or judicial administration of any state is said by us to be a citizen of that state”
Does “voting in Legislative Councilor elections” or “giving opinions to the government about new laws” satisfy the definition? 10 minutes then share
Citizenship question 2
1. Do you think the excellence of good men and the excellence of good citizen can coincide with each other? Do you think a ruler can possess both the excellence of a good man and the excellence of a good citizen?
2. Consider the war in Iraq. Do you regard the U.S. soldiers good men? good citizens? Do you regard president George Bush as a good man? a good citizen? 10 minutes then share
Assessment
In your table teams you will be assigned one of the six types of constitution (plus I need one ‘Ham’ to be a tyrant. I want you in character to create six laws that cover the following issues:-
Taxation, voting, education, drinking age, infrastructure (roads etc.) and unemployment.
Be prepared to act this out in class you have 30 minutes