Date of Award

1928

Degree Type

Bachelors Essay

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Department

Political Science

First Advisor

John K. Warren

Abstract

In this thesis, I hope to treat the origin and. the functions of Athenian democracy, and attempt to interpret its influence and effects on modern democracies. Furthermore, I wish to convey the idea, and bring out the facts from my investigation of ancient democracy of Athens, that the modern democracy both in England and in the United States is not wholly the mental product or the political ideals of Anglo- Saxon race as the English speaking peoples on both sides of the Atlantic seem to think or boast about just governments in England, in self governing dominions, and in America. My purpose is not to add something new to the science of history but only to present and treat the origin, the operation of democracy as existed in Athens, and show its remarkable influence in shaping the development of modern democracies, for the purpose of abandoning the old idea in the minds of some English speaking men and women, who still do think that the democracy essentially belongs to England and America; that it was originated in England, because the English people were liberty loving people and that the political theorists of England worked unselfishly in bringing about democracy in America and finally in England. It is true, that the historical students no longer hold the idea that democracy is essentially an Anglo-Saxon idea, nevertheless, there are, some intelligent people among us, who still cling to this idea that just governments are wholly English and they belong to English speaking peoples. As far as my knowledge of historical books are concerned, I have yet to see a book written by scientific historians that treats and seriously attempts to bring out, the origin, the development of democracy; its home, its life in the broad field of world progress. Therefore, it is my purpose, to indicate and trace out the development of democracy in Athens, its relation and influence on modern democracies by successive transformations through which the political consciousness of men has passed from early antiquity to modern times.

Comments

A Thesis submitted, partially to fulfill the requirements for The Degree of Bachelor of Philosophy, Marquette University, College of Liberal Arts, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Download

Share

COinS