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From Athens to Today: The Evolution of Democracy The form of political organization that evolved in the polis of Athens over the course of the sixth, fifth, and fourth centuries B.C. is one of the most well-known legacies of the Greco-Roman world. This idea, known as democracy, is now widely accepted as the most desirable form of human political organization. Moreover, the Athenian democracy represents one of the longest periods of popular self-government in …

…democracy, they continued to live with inequalities of status based on birth and ability. Identification of some of the basic similarities and differences between Athenian and modern democratic principles and practice is important. Much of what we learn about ancient democracy has been hurt by a tendency to exaggerate the similarities. The Athenian example has a lot to show us about the nature and potential of democracy as a form of social and political organization.