Abstract
This entry surveys the growing public choice research on the Classical Athenian democracy. First, it summarises major constitutional changes which were linked with significant political events. Explanations of the emergence of democracy are then briefly reviewed. This is followed by a public choice analysis of the Athenian institutions of policy making including the Assembly of the Demos, the Council of the Five Hundred, the Ten Generals, the courts, ostracism, appointment to office by lot and election, political participation, and absence of political parties. Comparisons with modern democracy are also drawn.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Elgar Encyclopedia of Public Choice |
| Editors | Richard Jong-A-Pin, Christian Bjørnskov |
| Publisher | Edward Elgar Publishing |
| Chapter | 92 |
| Pages | 658-665 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | ISBN 978 1 80220 775 0 (eBook) |
| ISBN (Print) | ISBN 978 1 80220 774 3 (cased) |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published (in print/issue) - 18 Nov 2025 |
Keywords
- Ancient Athens
- political parties
- direct democracy
- ostracism
- sortition
- political equality
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