America: Modern-day Athens"We do not copy our ancestors, but we are an example for them. It is true that we call ourselves democracy, because the administration is in hands of the many and not of the few: this is the foundation on which democracy is governed. Without this, democracy does not exist it was a united land. There were many small controlling provinces, called city-states. Two examples of the most powerful and long-lasting city-states were Sparta and Athens, whose people lived an austere and militaristic form of life on the needs of the army that things revolved around this. Athens, another powerful city-state, developed a more balanced life for its citizens. Central to this development was the rise of democracy ", ​​Athens developed a direct democracy. Eligible citizens could speak in forums and vote on issues. These people were known as the Council of 500; they were chosen every year. To be elected they had to be at least 25 years old and be citizens. They directly had a voice. This is why Athens is an example of direct democracy. It should be emphasized here that Athens, for all its lofty ideas about the ability of men to govern themselves, excluded most of the people who lived within its walls. Women, for example, had no say in government. They were forced to manage homes, raise children and provide for the needs of their husbands. Slavery, which existed in Athens, also caused a stain on the noble experiment of democracy. Slaves had no right to vote, no share in government, and no recourse from a cruel master. The Athenian government relied on direct democracy to raise taxes, enact laws, and assemble military forces when necessary. The American experiment in democracy differs significantly from the Athenian form of government. America uses a representative form of democracy. Due to the huge population, compared to Athens, a direct democracy is impractical. Americans vote for representatives in the legislative and executive branches of government. The citizen hopes that the elected representatives will protect the interests of their constituents. However, there are some dark spots in our form of government. Like the Athenians, America did not give slaves the right to vote. It took a civil war that nearly destroyed our nation before slavery was abolished and that portion of the population could have a say in our government. Also, women, who