Constitution of Athens

From Cleisthenes to the contemporary constitution

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.

Theory behind this

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.

Six types of Constitution

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

Virtues of Character

http://www2.drury.edu/cpanza/aristotle.html

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