The presentation compares the governments of ancient Athens and modern America. In Athens, only male citizens could participate in the democracy and hold government positions, while women, slaves, foreigners, and children could not. Citizens voted by placing black or white rocks in a jar to indicate yes or no answers on proposals at government meetings. If not enough citizens showed up to vote, slaves would forcibly bring those who did not attend in humiliating red robes. The Athens government was a direct democracy led by the famous statesman Pericles, while America's government is a representative democracy where anyone can hold office and citizens vote to elect leaders like President Obama.