Democracy — Social Studies definition

A government in which the people rule. In Athens, citizens gathered to debate and vote on laws directly.

Where it is taught

In use

Achievements and exclusions must be examined together rather than reducing the period to either an ideal democracy or one simple stereotype.

Ancient Greece: Democracy & Ideas

Questions using democracy

Problem 1

Compare city-states in context. Did every Greek city use Athenian democracy?
Answer and explanation

No. Different city-states and periods had different institutions.

No. Different city-states and periods had different institutions.

Response criteria

  • Answer the actual question with accurate details.
  • Explain how the evidence or language choice supports the conclusion.
  • State a relevant limit, alternative or justified revision.

Problem 2

Compare participation and one shared limitation without calling either a modern universal democracy.
Answer and explanation

A has a direct citizen-voting feature and B a more restricted governing body. Both exclude residents from power; an institutional difference does not erase shared coercion or establish modern equal political rights.

A has a direct citizen-voting feature and B a more restricted governing body. Both exclude residents from power; an institutional difference does not erase shared coercion or establish modern equal political rights.

Response criteria

  • Answer the actual question with accurate details.
  • Explain how the evidence or language choice supports the conclusion.
  • State a relevant limit, alternative or justified revision.

Problem 3

Compare participation and one shared limitation without calling either a modern universal democracy. Explain a relevant limit as part of your answer.
Answer and explanation

A has a direct citizen-voting feature and B a more restricted governing body. Both exclude residents from power; an institutional difference does not erase shared coercion or establish modern equal political rights.

A has a direct citizen-voting feature and B a more restricted governing body. Both exclude residents from power; an institutional difference does not erase shared coercion or establish modern equal political rights.

Response criteria

  • Answer the actual question with accurate details.
  • Explain how the evidence or language choice supports the conclusion.
  • State a relevant limit, alternative or justified revision.

Problem 4

Did every Greek city use Athenian democracy?
Answer and explanation

No. Different city-states and periods had different institutions.

No. Different city-states and periods had different institutions.

Response criteria

  • Answer the actual question with accurate details.
  • Explain how the evidence or language choice supports the conclusion.
  • State a relevant limit, alternative or justified revision.

Taught alongside

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