Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 5.djvu/746

 730 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

The transition to democracy in Athens was preceded by important economic changes which completely altered the class relations within the community. The primary cause of these changes was the increasing industrial importance and consequent social power of the artisan class. This class arose in response to the higher and more refined wants of the governing and wealthy classes. Selected at first from among the dependents, because of special aptitudes as handicraftsmen, they gradually acquired social privileges which became more important as their clientage became wider. The imitation of the fashion set by the social leaders of Athens aroused a constantly increasing demand for the better class of products. Economic independ- ence brought with it gradual social emancipation. It required long years of struggle before this condition of fact was recog- nized in law. The inherent contradiction between legal and social relations was a fruitful source of discontent and a con- stant menace to the peace and safety of the community. The drastic legislation of Solon sought to reestablish harmony between law and fact. The first step was to give those who had acquired economic independence the right to participate in the political life of the community. To make civic emancipation complete all outstanding debts on land and person were abolished. The entry of a relatively large class of former serfs and slaves into the political life of the community led to the formation of the first popular assembly. From this time until the Athenian democracy reached the height of its development we have a series of assemblies comprising an ever-increasing percentage of the population. The best authorities seem to agree, however, that at no time did the citizen body exceed one-tenth of the total population of 200,000. To this general assembly of citi- zens all important questions were submitted. A standing com- mittee or council of five hundred, elected from the larger body, was intrusted with the general administration of public affairs. That Athens was able to make this rapid extension of rights without bringing about political anarchy represents her most important contribution to the development of political insti- tutions.