Democracy critiqued — OCR A-Level Classical Civilisation Revision

    This component explores the concept of democracy in ancient Athens, examining its origins, development, and the various ways it was celebrated, idealised,

    Topic Synopsis

    This component explores the concept of democracy in ancient Athens, examining its origins, development, and the various ways it was celebrated, idealised, and critiqued by ancient authors. It covers the reforms of Solon and Cleisthenes, the 5th-century developments under Ephialtes and Pericles, and the practical operation of democratic institutions, alongside critical perspectives from contemporary sources.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Democracy critiqued

    OCR
    A-Level

    This component explores the concept of democracy in ancient Athens, examining its origins, development, and the various ways it was celebrated, idealised, and critiqued by ancient authors. It covers the reforms of Solon and Cleisthenes, the 5th-century developments under Ephialtes and Pericles, and the practical operation of democratic institutions, alongside critical perspectives from contemporary sources.

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    Objectives
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    Exam Tips
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    Pitfalls
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    Key Terms
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    Mark Points

    Topic Overview

    This topic examines the criticisms levelled against Athenian democracy in the 5th century BCE, focusing on the works of Plato, Aristotle, and other contemporary thinkers. Students explore how democracy was attacked for its perceived flaws, such as mob rule, incompetence of leaders, and the subordination of expertise to popular opinion. The topic also considers the historical context of Athens' defeat in the Peloponnesian War, which fuelled anti-democratic sentiment among the elite.

    Understanding these critiques is crucial for A-Level Classical Civilisation because it provides a balanced view of Athenian democracy, which is often romanticised as the birthplace of modern democratic ideals. By engaging with the arguments of critics like Plato (in 'The Republic') and the 'Old Oligarch' (Pseudo-Xenophon), students learn to evaluate democracy's strengths and weaknesses. This topic also connects to broader themes of political philosophy, the role of rhetoric, and the tension between freedom and order in ancient Greece.

    For the OCR exam, students must be able to analyse specific criticisms, such as the claim that democracy leads to poor decision-making due to the ignorance of the masses, or that it fosters demagoguery. They should also understand the socio-political background: the Athenian empire, the Peloponnesian War, and the trial of Socrates. Mastery of this topic enables students to write sophisticated essays that compare democratic theory with its practical shortcomings, using primary sources as evidence.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Mob rule (ochlocracy): The idea that democracy degenerates into rule by the irrational, emotional masses, leading to instability and poor decisions.
    • →Demagoguery: The manipulation of popular opinion by charismatic but unscrupulous leaders, such as Cleon, who exploit democratic processes for personal gain.
    • →The 'Old Oligarch' (Pseudo-Xenophon): An anonymous pamphlet criticising Athenian democracy for empowering the poor and undermining the elite, highlighting class conflict.
    • →Plato's critique: In 'The Republic', Plato argues that democracy values equality over expertise, likening the state to a ship where sailors (the people) mutiny against the captain (the philosopher-king).
    • →The trial of Socrates: Often cited as a key example of democracy's failure, where a wise man was condemned by a popular vote on charges of impiety and corrupting the youth.

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Knowledge of the reforms of Solon (seisachtheia, property classes, Council of 400, archonship, Areopagos, assembly, lawcode changes).
    • Knowledge of the reforms of Cleisthenes (demes, tribes, Council of 500, sortition, ostracism, strategoi).
    • Understanding of 5th-century developments (Ephialtes, Pericles, Areopagus powers, payment for office, citizenship laws).
    • Understanding of democratic organs (Assembly, Boule, law-courts, magistrates).
    • Analysis of the role of demagogues and the influence of the Athenian Empire.
    • Evaluation of democracy as an Athenian identity and its benefits.
    • Critical analysis of democracy through prescribed literary sources (Aeschylus, Thucydides, Euripides, Plato, Aristophanes, Old Oligarch).
    • Ability to compare and contrast different ancient perspectives on democracy.

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Knowledge of the reforms of Solon (seisachtheia, property classes, Council of 400, archonship, Areopagos, assembly, lawcode changes).
    • Knowledge of the reforms of Cleisthenes (demes, tribes, Council of 500, sortition, ostracism, strategoi).
    • Understanding of 5th-century developments (Ephialtes, Pericles, Areopagus powers, payment for office, citizenship laws).
    • Understanding of democratic organs (Assembly, Boule, law-courts, magistrates).
    • Analysis of the role of demagogues and the influence of the Athenian Empire.
    • Evaluation of democracy as an Athenian identity and its benefits.
    • Critical analysis of democracy through prescribed literary sources (Aeschylus, Thucydides, Euripides, Plato, Aristophanes, Old Oligarch).
    • Ability to compare and contrast different ancient perspectives on democracy.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡Ensure you can explain the specific function and power of each democratic organ (Assembly, Boule, law-courts).
    • 💡When discussing 'Democracy critiqued', focus on the specific arguments provided by Plato and the Old Oligarch.
    • 💡Use the prescribed literary sources as evidence for how democracy was perceived, not just as historical accounts.
    • 💡Be prepared to discuss the 'benefits' of democracy as perceived by the Athenians, as well as the 'dangers' highlighted by critics.
    • 💡In essay questions, integrate knowledge of the historical context (e.g., the Persian Wars, the Peloponnesian War) with the political theory.
    • 💡Use specific examples from ancient sources: For instance, reference Thucydides' account of Cleon's speech at Mytilene (History 3.36-49) to illustrate demagoguery, or Plato's 'Apology' for Socrates' trial. This shows detailed knowledge.
    • 💡Evaluate the critiques: Don't just list criticisms; assess their validity. For example, argue that while Plato's ship analogy is compelling, it ignores the role of deliberation in Athenian assemblies. This demonstrates critical thinking.
    • 💡Connect to historical context: Explain how the Peloponnesian War and the plague of Athens (430 BCE) fuelled anti-democratic sentiment. Examiners reward answers that link ideas to events.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Failing to link the reforms of Solon and Cleisthenes to the later development of 5th-century democracy.
    • Treating democracy as a static concept rather than a developing one.
    • Over-relying on modern definitions of democracy instead of focusing on the Athenian context.
    • Neglecting to use the prescribed literary sources to support arguments about the critique or idealisation of democracy.
    • Failing to address the specific arguments made by the 'Old Oligarch' or Plato regarding the dangers of democracy.
    • Misconception: All ancient Greeks opposed democracy. Correction: While many elite thinkers criticised it, democracy was widely supported by the Athenian demos (common people), and critics were often from the aristocratic class who lost power.
    • Misconception: Plato's 'Republic' is a direct critique of Athenian democracy. Correction: Plato's critique is more philosophical and idealised; he uses democracy as one stage in the decline of an ideal state, not a specific attack on Athens.
    • Misconception: The 'Old Oligarch' was a single author with a consistent argument. Correction: The text is a polemic that mixes valid observations with exaggerated bias; it should be read as a rhetorical piece, not objective analysis.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •Athenian democracy in the 5th century BCE: Understand the institutions (Assembly, Council of 500, law courts) and principles (isonomia, isegoria).
    • •The Peloponnesian War: Basic knowledge of Athens' defeat and its impact on political thought.
    • •Socrates and his philosophy: Familiarity with Socratic method and his trial, as it is a key example in critiques.

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Assess
    To what extent
    Discuss
    Explain
    Evaluate
    Compare

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