Here's why:
* Direct Democracy: The Athenian democracy, particularly in the 5th century BC, was a direct democracy where citizens participated directly in government by voting on laws and policies. This model, though different from our representative democracies today, laid the foundation for the concept of citizen participation in government.
* Citizen Assemblies: Athenian citizens gathered in assemblies to debate and vote on issues, including war, finance, and the appointment of officials. This practice established the idea of collective decision-making.
* Council of 500: The Council of 500 was a body of 500 citizens randomly selected to propose laws and oversee the government. This introduced the concept of representative government, although it was still highly participatory.
* Rule of Law: The Greeks developed the idea of the rule of law, where laws applied equally to all citizens, including officials. This principle is fundamental to democratic societies.
* Emphasis on Reason and Debate: The Greeks valued reason and debate, which led to the development of public discourse and the free exchange of ideas. These concepts are essential for healthy democracies.
While the Athenian model had limitations (e.g., limited suffrage), its innovations significantly influenced the development of democracy in the Western world. Rome, for instance, adopted elements of Greek democracy, but its republic ultimately transitioned into an empire.
It's important to note that democracy as we know it today evolved over centuries. Ancient Greece provided the crucial early groundwork, but the development of representative democracy, separation of powers, and other democratic principles took time and involved contributions from various cultures and historical periods.