The Basis Of Democracy In Athens

Pericles once said, “freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it.” When blinded by bitterness and outrage true courage can be difficult to find, but it is vital to the preservation of freedom and democracy. The democracy of Athens is a defining feature – without democracy Athens loses so much of its core. However, the democracy is at risk from heightened animosities and the division within Athens. The war with the Thirty and the aftermath has left Athenians on unstable ground. The only way to stabilize the democracy is to find forgiveness and pass the Reconciliation Agreement. Athens has endured great difficulty even prior to the rise of the Thirty. Decades of war, starvation, defeat, political division, and a civil war has left Athens in desperate need for stability. Stability cannot come without a functioning democracy. The basis of our democracy “does not copy the laws of neighboring states; we are rather a pattern to others than imitators ourselves”.

The democracy must be preserved at all costs which is why the Reconciliation Agreement is such a necessity. The Reconciliation Agreement states, “no Athenian shall remember the past wrongs of those who supported the Thirty, nor file any lawsuits against them.” Athens struggled long before the Thirty and vengeance will only perpetuate the weakness of Athens. The Reconciliation Agreement allows Athenians to come together for the collective benefit of Athens. Those like Lyon, whose son was killed by the Thirty suggest executions for all those who supported the Thirty, however any kind of vengeance could push the polis to another civil war. Convincing those who have suffered immensely to join the Reconciliation Agreement can be a challenge “for it is hard to speak properly on a subject where it is even difficult to convince your hearers that you are speaking the truth”.

The Thirty hurt each Athenian in a different way, however it is in the best interest of the polis focus on rebuilding. Anger can prevent clear direction and revenge based on anger only perpetuates the cycle of weakness. Revenge is a dangerous emotion. In the time of healing following the defeat of the Thirty anger must not cloud judgements. Athens’ “administration favors the many instead of the few; this is why it is called a democracy”. Pericles knew the opinions of select few should not outweigh the options of the majority. The radical democrats who favor the execution of those who supported the Thirty are not focused on the good of Athens, rather they are focused on their own wishes. The loss of more Athenian blood is a tragedy and must be put to an end. Athenians must work and fight together for mutual survival. By ostracizing the supporters of the Thirty, Athens risks repeating the mistakes of the past. Forgiveness allows for healing and a bridge between Athenians. Democracy and reconciliation go hand in hand. Without reconciliation the democracy is at risk of collapse. Athens has endured enough suffering. Transgressions of the few should not be able to dictate the future for all of Athens. It is time to restore Pericles vision of Athenian greatness. The Reconciliation Agreement protects Pericles vision of democracy and Athens. The sources of its’ power were derived from the “enterprise of its own citizens”.

Democracy lets Athenians be in control of their fate. A democracy allows for differences in opinion. The supporters of the Thirty simply had a differing viewpoint. They should be allowed to rejoin society without fear of judgement. Had the Thirty won the war and the tables turned there is no doubt the radical democrats would be asking for a Reconciliation Agreement themselves. The radical democrats argued the Thirty were agents of Sparta – undermining democracy and the sovereignty of Athens. While perhaps, they have a fair point that the actions of the Thirty were unjust, how does the execution of the Thirty survivors make Athenians any different? Spartans are primitive and barbaric. If Athenians stoop to the level of Spartans, then Athens is lost forever. There is a difference between fair punishment and cruel punishment. Radical democrats are unable to see the parallels between their proposed solution and the actions of the Thirty themselves. Hate only encourages more hate; violence begs violence. The cycle will never end if the supporters of the Thirty are executed. Athens has been at the forefront of innovation and democracy since the earliest ages, but in recent history Athens has been stuck in a negative cycle. It is time to break the cycle of violence and hurt to focus on restoring glory, rebuilding the empire, and recreating the community. Pericles said that democracy will prevail. It is the job of every citizen not to hinder the growth of democracy by holding on to old animosities. Athenians are a product of their democracy; they are creative, they are strong, they are decisive.

Why risk the future of Athenians and the democracy? There is no reason. Pericles said, “no personal failure in an enterprise could make them consent to deprive their country of valor”. The radical democrats are letting their personal enterprise deprive the country of possible greatness. It has been suggested that the Thirty is comparable to a hand. If your hand is infected with a potentially fatal disease do you wait for it to kill you hoping it will get better or do you cut it off? While it is understandable that those most hurt by the thirty would feel it is important to cut off the hand, it is not the most appropriate course of action. It is possible to mend a hand as it is possible to mend Athens. Those who believe the supporters of the Thirty should be executed are afraid - afraid of history. They are afraid of being hurt again. Their fear prevents them to see the potential of Athens. Those who stand with the Reconciliation Agreement know “the palm of courage will surely be adjusted most justly to those, who best know the difference between hardship and pleasure and yet are never tempted to shrink from danger”.

The Reconciliation Agreement is the bold move but is the only way to ensure the survival of Athens. The Reconciliation Agreement does not dispel claims that the actions of the Thirty were correct or justified. It does, however, take the logical and reasonable approach to heal Athens. The Thirty has divided Athens before - we must not let it again. Executing a supporter of the Thirty only further divides Athens. Athenian society should not be degraded into barbaric acts committed out of vengeance. Athenians are better than that. Executing men is the brash and cowardice decision made without full consideration of the consequences. Athens can only benefit by coming together with the Thirty. Now is the time for stability. Now is the time to end division. Now is the time to build a strong democracy. Athens is still hurting from the violence of the past. Athens can protect its’ democracy by covering the wounds of the history and forgiving fellow Athenians. The ways of Pericles have taught that divided Athens is weak but together nothing is stronger. There is no power quite like that of a united Athens.