How is notional state and local government similar to ancient greek government?
It is important to remember that in Athens – usually taken as the model for all of ancient Greece – women were not citizens and had no rights. The merchants also were not citizens, since Athens suspected the loyalty of anyone having regular dealings with foreigners. As it turns out, their wealthy, noble citizens who ran the “democracy” were unworthy of the trust, and bankrupted the state with speculation and political adventure. Oh, Athenian literature is generally admirable, but Athenian politics is not.
