Imagine you’ve just been given a unique opportunity: a spot in your country’s national legislature. But here’s the twist—everyone else in the legislature got there the same way you did. This might sound like a strange way to run a government, especially a democracy, where we usually think of elections as the main event. However, the ancient Athenians, who actually invented the term “democracy,” had a different approach. In Athens, elections were not the main focus. Instead, many government positions were filled by a random lottery from a pool of citizen volunteers.
Unlike today’s representative democracies, where we elect leaders to make decisions for us, Athens in the 5th Century BC was a direct democracy. This meant that citizens were encouraged to participate directly in the government. The principle of “ho boulomenos,” or “anyone who wishes,” allowed about 30,000 eligible citizens to attend the ecclesia, a general assembly that met several times a month. In these meetings, any of the roughly 6,000 citizens present could speak, propose laws, or bring public lawsuits.
Of course, having 6,000 people trying to talk at once wouldn’t work well. So, Athens also had a 500-member council called the Boule. This council set the agenda and evaluated proposals. Additionally, hundreds of jurors and magistrates handled legal matters. These roles were filled by a lottery system known as sortition, rather than by election. Only positions requiring specific skills, like generals, were elected, as these were seen as aristocratic roles—meaning rule by the best—rather than democratic, or rule by the many.
How did this system come about? Athenian democracy developed after long periods of social and political tension, marked by conflicts among nobles. Powers once reserved for elites, like speaking in the assembly and voting, were extended to ordinary citizens. This ability to participate in governance became a key part of Athenian democratic ideology. Civic participation was considered a duty for all citizens, with sortition and strict term limits preventing the rise of a ruling class or political parties.
By today’s standards, Athenian democracy excluded many people. Women, slaves, and foreigners were not granted full citizenship, and when considering those too young to serve, only 10-20% of the population was eligible. Some ancient philosophers, like Plato, criticized this form of democracy as chaotic and led by the uninformed. However, today, “democracy” is generally seen as a positive concept, with many regimes claiming to embody it, even as some share Plato’s skepticism about the wisdom of crowds.
Many modern democracies try to balance this tension by having citizens elect representatives they believe are qualified to legislate on their behalf. Yet, this system has its own issues, such as the influence of wealth and the emergence of career politicians whose interests might not align with those of their constituents. Could bringing back election by lottery lead to more effective governance by creating a more diverse and representative group of legislators? Or does modern political office, like Athenian military command, require specialized knowledge and skills?
While you might not want to hold your breath for a chance to randomly join your country’s government, depending on where you live, you might still be selected to participate in a jury, a citizens’ assembly, or a deliberative poll. These are examples of how the democratic principle behind sortition continues to exist today.
Imagine you are an Athenian citizen attending the ecclesia. Prepare a short speech on a topic relevant to your community, just as Athenians would have done. Present your speech to the class, and engage in a discussion about the pros and cons of direct democracy.
Organize a class activity where roles such as council members, jurors, and magistrates are assigned through a lottery system. Reflect on how this method of selection might influence decision-making and governance in comparison to elections.
Divide into two groups and debate the merits and drawbacks of sortition versus election in modern governance. Consider factors such as diversity, representation, and expertise. Conclude with a class vote on which system seems more effective.
Research a modern example of sortition, such as a citizens’ assembly or deliberative poll. Present your findings to the class, focusing on how these practices reflect Athenian democratic principles and their impact on contemporary governance.
Read excerpts from philosophers like Plato who criticized Athenian democracy. Discuss whether you agree with their views on the wisdom of crowds and how these ideas apply to current democratic practices.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Congratulations! You’ve just won a unique opportunity: a position in your country’s national legislature. And you’re not alone; all of your fellow lawmakers were chosen in the same way. This might seem like an unusual method for running a government, especially a democracy. Elections are often seen as the cornerstone of democracy, right? However, the ancient Athenians, who coined the term, had a different perspective. In fact, elections played a minor role in Athenian democracy, with most offices filled by random lottery from a pool of citizen volunteers.
Unlike the representative democracies we see today, where voters elect leaders to make laws and decisions on their behalf, 5th Century BC Athens operated as a direct democracy that encouraged broad participation through the principle of “ho boulomenos,” or “anyone who wishes.” This allowed approximately 30,000 eligible citizens to attend the ecclesia, a general assembly meeting held several times a month. In principle, any of the roughly 6,000 citizens who attended each session had the right to address their peers, propose laws, or bring public lawsuits.
Of course, a crowd of 6,000 people trying to speak simultaneously would not lead to effective governance. Therefore, the Athenian system also relied on a 500-member governing council called the Boule to set the agenda and evaluate proposals, along with hundreds of jurors and magistrates to handle legal matters. Instead of being elected or appointed, individuals in these roles were chosen by lot, a process known as sortition. The only positions filled by elections were those requiring specific expertise, such as generals, which were viewed as aristocratic—meaning rule by the best—rather than democratic, or rule by the many.
How did this system develop? Democracy in Athens emerged after prolonged social and political tensions marked by conflicts among nobles. Powers that were once limited to elites, such as speaking in the assembly and having their votes counted, were extended to ordinary citizens. The ability of these citizens to engage in governance became a key aspect of Athenian democratic ideology. Civic participation was seen as a duty for all citizens, with sortition and strict term limits preventing the formation of governing classes or political parties.
By modern standards, Athenian democracy excluded many individuals. Women, slaves, and foreigners were denied full citizenship, and when excluding those too young to serve, the pool of eligible Athenians was reduced to only 10-20% of the overall population. Some ancient philosophers, including Plato, criticized this form of democracy as chaotic and led by the uninformed. However, today, the term “democracy” carries positive connotations, leading to various regimes claiming to embody it. At the same time, some share Plato’s skepticism about the wisdom of crowds.
Many modern democracies address this tension by having citizens elect those they believe are qualified to legislate on their behalf. Yet, this approach has its own challenges, including the influence of wealth and the rise of professional politicians whose interests may differ from those of their constituents. Could reviving election by lottery lead to more effective governance through a more diverse and representative group of legislators? Or does modern political office, like Athenian military command, require specialized knowledge and skills?
While you might not want to hold your breath for a chance to win a spot in your country’s government, depending on where you live, you may still be selected to participate in a jury, a citizens’ assembly, or a deliberative poll—examples of how the democratic principle behind sortition continues to exist today.
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This version maintains the core ideas while ensuring clarity and appropriateness.
Democracy – A system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives. – In a democracy, citizens have the right to vote and influence the laws that govern them.
Athens – An ancient Greek city-state known for its early development of democracy and cultural achievements. – Athens is often credited with laying the groundwork for modern democratic systems through its innovative political practices.
Citizens – Members of a state or nation who have legal rights and responsibilities, including participation in the political process. – In ancient Athens, only male citizens were allowed to participate in the democratic process.
Sortition – The selection of political officials as a random sample from a larger pool of candidates, often used in ancient Athens to ensure fairness. – Sortition was employed in Athens to select members of the council, ensuring that all citizens had an equal chance to serve.
Assembly – A group of people gathered together for a common purpose, often to discuss and make decisions on political matters. – The Athenian Assembly was a central institution of democracy where citizens could speak and vote on important issues.
Participation – The act of taking part in an activity or event, particularly in the context of civic engagement and political processes. – Active participation in elections and public debates is crucial for a healthy democracy.
Governance – The process and method of making decisions and exercising authority in a political community. – Effective governance requires transparency, accountability, and the involvement of citizens in decision-making processes.
Elections – The formal process of selecting individuals for public office through voting by the eligible population. – Regular elections are a fundamental component of democratic governance, allowing citizens to choose their leaders.
Council – A body of individuals elected or appointed to make decisions and provide advice on governmental or organizational matters. – The Athenian Council, or Boule, played a key role in preparing legislation for consideration by the Assembly.
Aristocratic – Relating to a government or social class that is ruled by a privileged minority or nobility. – Before the rise of democracy, many Greek city-states were governed by aristocratic elites who held significant power and influence.
