I think every "citizen" of a democratic nation should read "The Athenian Origins if Direct Democracy." As Aristotle said, "He who thus considers things in their first growth and origin . . . will obtain the clearest of view of them." Admittedly I am not as politically involved as I should be, too busy is my lame excuse, but I thoroughly enjoyed "The Athenian Origins if Direct Democracy." I can't imagine what it would be like if every citizen was “intimately and directly involved” in our political, judicial and military systems. Or, having a government representative from a geographical area small enough that everyone really knew him/her. Such an intimate society would create a balance between justice and mercy because each person would naturally emphasize with one another and yet completely understand the need of fulfilling one's duties in order to keep order. From a political stand point, what an opportunity it would create. We'd have greater representation "of the people, by the people" if we had one representative for every 5,000 citizens (women included of course). I would think we'd defini9tely trust our leadership more than we do presently. Let's make it personal. Guessing the size of Meridian to be about 36,000 they would have roughly seven representatives. If these representatives met in a "council" with representatives from other communities, and a representative from this group was chosen for every 50 initial representatives, was chosen to represent the first council in a "higher" council, how much better would the wishes of the people be heard. Like the citizens of Greece, how much better informed and involved would we as citizens be. I would have to say though that's all I admire about the Spartan city/state. The Athens city/state makes much more sense to me. It is important that our societies are ever learning, growing, and improving on what we have. Over all the Athenians understood that, each new leader attempting to improve on what they already had. Beginning with Solon. Although is methods were not perfect I believed he put Athens on the right path. Sometimes we have to start over in order to move forward. By forgiving the agricultural debt he did that. I found it interesting that his system excluded people who did not own productive land, i.e. merchants, when he himself was a merchant and considered himself poor. e-classics.com/solon.htm Although our reading portrays Pisistratus as a tyrant, it is said Pisistratus was a "popular ruler, reducing taxes, helping the poor and disabled, united Attics, and beautifying Athens with new buildings." in2greece.com/english/historymyth/history/ancient/pisistratus.htm His ability to increase imports financed waterpipes to the city, he is believed to have aided in the first written versions of Homer's work, and built the first library in Athens. in2greece.com/english/historymyth/history/ancient/pisistratus.htm He built on Solon's idea that a man could work his way up to achieve political leadership. (this is a contradiction in the reading. "He [Solon] ...passed constitutional reforms ...based on their annual agricultural production rather than birth." It is later stated that Solon based his ability to hold political office on birth.) Finally, even Pericles, while removing Pisistratus' son from power and moving Athens to a more aristocratic state, kept some of Solon's and Pisistratus' political base and continued to build Athens reputation for being the educational center. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pericles And although the Spartans eventually ended Athenian democracy, its influence is definitely seem today.