Could a European People’s Assembly—Politician-Free and Chosen by Lottery—Become a Permanent Branch of Government?
Greece articles on Democracy Chronicles
News about the struggle for better democracy in Greece. According to Freedom House, Greece is an electoral democracy and has "fair electoral laws, equal campaigning opportunities, and a system of compulsory voting that is weakly enforced". Also see our articles on Europe.
What Can We Learn From Early Democracies?
David Stasavage shows democratic practices were present in many places, at many other times, from the Americas before European conquest, to ancient Mesopotamia, to precolonial Africa.
A Greek Scandal Reverberates As Eavesdropping Expands In Europe
Revelations that a top opposition figure’s cell phone was bugged has alarmed government, raising worries of the extent of such espionage.
Paine and the Origins of Modern Democracy, Part I
Thomas Paine is the founder of modern democracy. He crafted the democratic movement in three countries, and it spread on its own around the world.
My Interview With An Expert On Ancient Athenian Democracy
Roslyn Fuller, a leading expert in the study of the Athenian political system, speaks with me about her work and the direct democracy of ancient Athens.
Hot Spring Showed That Greeks Were Willing to Fight
Greece’s Hot Spring united Greeks from all walks of life but it was ultimately defeated due to the lack of a clear political alternative.
Press Freedom In Greece Is Under Pressure
Press freedom in Greece under pressure. The state is abusing its authority, creating a sense of “asphyxiation” in public discourse.
Reexamining Sortition: Political Power to Ordinary People
A strong, radically democratic vision for the left must combine advocacy of growing state power with demands for more effective citizen oversight.
Should We Draw Lots For Fairer Elections?
To what extent are elections truly democratic? At the dawn of democracy in Athens, elected representatives used to be picked by lot.
Balkan Nation Is North Macedonia Now
The small Balkan country of Macedonia officially changed its name Tuesday by adding a geographic designation that ends a decades-old dispute.