Democracy and the will of the Gods.

[Mano Madytinos]

Very interesting Therapon and I agree on the principles. However do you not think that it relies too much on the participants having a high standard of ethics or the whole system may turn in to a very intolerant theocracy?
Theoretically speaking there is no division between religion and politics and the ancient philosophers knew that. Even closer to our times if I may quote that great man Ghandi: "Those who think that religion does not belong in politics do not know what religion is". Religion must thus be the foundation of a community and the standard upon which it bases its organisation, ie politics. How do we prevent, though, the minorities from being marginalized and persecuted for being miasmic to the beliefs of the majority? It worked for the Romans because of their approach to religion which was that as long as it did not interfere with the state religion which was headed by the emperor as a god, every one else was free to worship as they please. But even in their 'tolerant' world there were those who paid a heavy price namely the Jews and the Christians who found it contrary to their beliefs to worship the emperor. So Quo Vadis?

[Therapon]

Very interesting Therapon and I agree on the principles. However do you not think that it relies too much on the participants having a high standard of ethics or the whole system may turn in to a very intolerant theocracy? How do we prevent, though, the minorities from being marginalized and persecuted for being miasmic to the beliefs of the majority? ?

Democracy requires checks and balances, side-by-side with the popular assembly (Ecclesia) is the Supreme Court (Areopagus). We tend to only think about the popular assembly when we consider direct democracy and although it is very important it's only one part of the system. Selection by sortilage preserves the true democratic character of the Supreme Court and the Areopagus provides a check on the Assembly. A further check is provided by the Council or Boule its main function was to prepare the agenda for meetings of the Assembly. Democracy isn't the tyranny of the majority as it's critics claim, it's the rule of the people and that includes minorities.