Page:Democracy, theoretical and practical (IA democracytheoret00hendrich).pdf/11

 other students do. But he has to deal with men as they are, not as they ought to be, and he must never lose sight of the importance of common sense, and a sense of proportion, in discussing the control and management of great affairs.

What then has history to tell of that form of government which we call democracy?

The nearest approach to government for the people by the people may be found at Athens in the middle of the fifth century before Christ. The Ecclesia or Assembly was composed of all the citizens over 18 years of age, and had the power to declare war, change the constitution, and control executive officers. The Council that prepared agenda for the Assembly contained 500 reputable citizens over 30 years of age chosen every year by lot. It controlled finance and foreign affairs. Laws were made and administered in Jury Courts consisting of men over 30 years of age chosen by lot from year to year. To this extent the government of Athens was government by the people. But look closer at it, and you will find that two-thirds of the people were slaves, that the most serious crimes—murder and arson—were dealt with by the Areopagus, not by the Heliaea, that the chief administrative officers who had to prepare plans to meet emergencies were chosen, not by lot, but by show of hands, and that they were often re-elected. Pericles was general for 15 years. In the Athenian democracy the citizens exercised rigorous control over their generals, and even did some of the administrative work; but for all that the important business of state was transacted not by the people but by the generals under Pericles, who was the real ruler of Athens from 445 to 430 B.C. If you have any doubt about this read the account of his administration in the second book of Thucydides, who