Advocate Paul Cartledge Argues for Increased Direct Democracy Akin to Ancient Greek System
In a thought-provoking argument, essayist and classical scholar Daniel Mendelson posits that contemporary historical events, such as World Wars, colonial massacres, and the Holocaust, while significant, may not be particularly useful lessons for our future generations. Instead, Mendelson suggests that it is essential to look towards the distant past, the classics, to find insights that can help us navigate the present and future.
This perspective resonates with British historian and essayist Paul Cartledge, holder of the A.G. Leventis Chair of Greek Culture at the University of Cambridge. As a guest at the Gorizia History Festival, Cartledge has dedicated his life to delving into the distant past, seeking wisdom that could potentially help fix the present, especially in preserving the delicate concept of democracy.
Democracy, according to Cartledge, is a complex and fragile construct, even in its modern forms. Despite the variety of democratic systems, from presidential to mixed, they all share a common vulnerability. In an ideal scenario, there might exist a democratic model that could accommodate all these nuances, but such a model would render the need for adaptation obsolete, Cartledge suggests.
In both the ancient Greek and Roman worlds, various types of democracies existed, with varying degrees of democracy and republicanism. These political communities, like their modern counterparts, were often plagued with stasis, or political conflicts, which could escalate into total civil wars. Aristotle, the foremost analyst and theorist of city-state politics in ancient Greece, advocated for a mixed constitution, combining aspects of oligarchy and democracy. While some of these democratic ideas have been incorporated into modern democracies, the trend has been towards the accumulation of power by the executive branch at the expense of the populace.
Cartledge suggests potential remedies for this issue, such as more direct democracy, with citizens' assemblies, sortition for public office appointments, and correctly conducted referendums. However, he warns against misguided attempts to emulate ancient democratic systems directly, emphasizing that modern democracies are representative, while ancient democracies were direct. Accountability of officials was a central aspect of good government in ancient democracies, a challenge that modern democracies continue to grapple with.
One contentious issue addressed by Cartledge is the role of populism in governance. He clarifies that populism is not synonymous with democracy and that the need to mediate the popular voice is necessary to maintain control in the administration of a state.
Another point Cartledge touches upon is the actions of conservative governments in the Western world. He expresses his concern over the rise of right-wing nationalism and its potential negative impact, using the example of the ruling party in Italy, which he sees as the direct heir to Mussolini's fascists. He also criticizes American politicians, with Trump being seen as almost a fascist and Netanyahu being an opportunist attempting to prolong conflicts to maintain his position.
Cartledge questions whether the Western world is on the brink of collapse, citing the divide between the United States and Europe. He cautions against reading too much into current instability, asserting that the European Union and NATO still have the power to contain any potential threats, such as Putin's dictatorial pseudo-empire. On a hopeful note, he expresses the wish that the current uncertain situation is merely a temporary 'twist.'
As the discussion turns to the United States, Cartledge acknowledges the nation's decline compared to other powers, particularly China. However, he emphasizes the undisputed hegemony of the United States in the Western world, and doubtful prospects of its collapse anytime soon. An intriguing development, according to Cartledge, is the rise of non-communist power in Asia, India, which has adopted a unique form of democracy with increasing presidential power based on exploitation of religious differences.
In conclusion, the lessons from ancient democracy offer valuable insights for sustaining and strengthening modern democratic systems. Encouraging continued citizen participation, fostering a strong and stable middle class, balancing popular will with expertise, and upholding foundational principles of consent, representation, and rights protection can help preserve the delicate balance that democratic systems require. These timeless lessons, drawn from the successes and failures of ancient democratic experiments and philosophical critiques, provide enduring guidance for democratic leaders and citizens today.
- The essence of democracy, as Cartledge underscores, demands a delicate balance between popular will and expertise, drawing parallels between ancient and modern democratic systems in this regard.
- In advocating for stronger democratic systems, Cartledge emphasizes the importance of learning from both the triumphs and errors of ancient democracies, with a focus on fostering continued citizen participation and upholding foundational principles like consent, representation, and rights protection.
