Hamiltonia Swot Analysis

Trace the development of "demokratia" in Athens. How did it work? What were its strengths and its weaknesses?

The development of demokratia can be traced back to the reforms legislated by the
Athenian statesman Solon in 594 B.C.E. During this period, heightened economic and political tensions existed between different groups within Athenian society. Many farmers, most of which were peasants, were unable to keep up with the increased demand for food caused by rapid population growth in Athens. Several bad harvests and soil exhaustion exacerbated the problem. Peasant farmers became heavily indebted to wealthy Eupatrids, or aristocrats, and were unable to settle their debts. As a result, many were faced with losing their land and/or being sold
Tensions also grew between the Eupatrids and the wealthy non-Eupatrids, composed of merchants, shopkeepers, artisans, prosperous farmers and hoplites. The latter demanded more say in public affairs. It is this context in which Solon’s economic and political reforms were implemented, in an attempt to avoid conflict between the contentious groups.
In spite of Solon’s aristocratic lineage, “in wealth and position he was of middle class” 1.
This background, along with his reputation as a moderate, pragmatic, and wise Athenian statesman made Solon the appropriate person to undertake comprehensive reforms. He did just that, upon consent of all parties. On the economic front he eliminated debt-slavery, canceled debts, setup a new coinage system, and purchased the freedom of Athenians enslaved abroad.
Politically, he changed the qualification for governmental office from birthright to wealth.
While this change allowed non-aristocratic elites to seek public office, ordinary Athenians were still not permitted to do so. Solon established the Council of 400 by organizing the adult male

1

Aristotle, The Athenian Constitution (as translated by Sir Frederic G. Kenton), part 5
As the Greek empire grew, so too did the bureaucracy.
More and more administrators were required to handle the empire’s affairs. In order to meet the demand, and enable all citizens the opportunity to participate in government, Pericles introduced the practice of public payment for public service, including jurymen and council members. He also changed the requirements for citizenship. Previously, citizenship was inherited through the male line – a son of an Athenian citizen became a citizen as well. The new law decreed “on the motion of Pericles, that no one should [be] admitted to the franchise who was not of citizen birth by both parents” 7. While women continued to be excluded from politics, the citizenship law provided at least a modicum of increased female power. From that moment on, only Athenian women could give birth to legitimate Athenian citizens.
Demokratia, or rule by the people, was a system of direct democracy whereby any
Athenian citizen could have a say in the government. The system was comprised of three main institutions: the Ecclesia, or assembly, the Boule, or Council of 500, and the Heliaia, or court.
The Ecclesia was the supreme governing body and was open to any adult male citizen who