This document outlines the foundations and key figures of Western democracy. It discusses Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, and how they influenced Western philosophy. It also examines forms of government like monarchy, democracy, republic, and rule of law concepts developed in ancient Greece and Rome. Finally, it contrasts Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian influences and how they both contributed to modern democratic values.

1. Foundations of Western
Democracy
By: Erik Anderson

2. Socrates
• He is credited as one of the
creators of western philosophy.
• He was born in Athens, Greece
in 469 B.C.
• He taught Plato
• His method is a form of inquiry
and debate for people with
opposing viewpoints based on
asking and answering questions
to spark ideas.

3. Plato
• He taught Aristotle.
• He founded the “Academy of
Athens”
• His teacher was the Philosopher
Socrates
• “Any man may easily do harm,
but not every man can do good
to another.” -Plato quote

4. Plato Continued...
• Plato says that all rulers and
guardians should be philosophers
or become philosophers.
• The Allegory of the cave is an
Allegory in his work “The
Republic” to describe our
“nature in its education and our
want of education.”
• Plato wrote “The Republic”

5. Aristotle
• He wrote “Politics”
• “At his best, man is the noblest
of all animals; separated from law
and justice he is the worst. “ -
Aristotle quote
• “Man by nature is a political
animal”

6. Monarchy
• A Monarchy is a form of government where
the head of state usually holds the position
until death and the position is usual passed
to members of the royal family.
• A Constitutional Monarchy is the same thing
as a Monarchy however the head of state
acts within the parameters of a constitution.
• Great Britain has a Constitutional Monarchy.
• Oligarchy is a form of power structure in
which power effectively rests with a small
number of people.
• Aristocracy is a form of government in
which a few elite citizens rule.

7. Greece
• Direct democracy is a form of
government where people make
decisions for themselves, rather
than having their political
decisions decided by
representatives.
• The first democracy was in
Athens, Greece.

8. Rome
• A republic is a state in which power is held
by the people and their elected
representatives, whom which has an elected
president rather than a monarch.
• Vaishali, India was the first republic.
• The Roman Law is the legal system of
Ancient Rome, and the legal developments
which occurred before 7AD
• “A state of order in which events conform
to the law” -Rule of Law Definition

9. Judeo-Christian Values
• Monotheism: The doctrine or belief that
there is only one God.
• Polytheism: The belief in or worship of
more than one god.
• Judeo-Christians believe in one God.
• The written law of the Jews is the “Ten
Commandments”
• Judeo-Christian Ethics promote the
importance of individuals by stating
that they are important and
meaningful.

10. Judeo-Christian vs.
Greco Roman
• Greco Roman’s focuses more on
Politics then religion.
• Judeo Christian’s focuses more
on religion.

11. Why it is Important
• Throughout history, all of these different
civilizations and cultures and different ways
of running things have helped form todays
modern democratic style governments. And
all helped bring the focus from certain rules
to the importance to any individuals right
of choice.