Democracy … Then and Now
A conversation with Dr. Jack Simmons
September 17 is Constitution Day. Though we don’t celebrate it with festivities, free time, and fireworks, perhaps we should. It marks the anniversary of the signing of the most influential document in American history, the United States Constitution. In 1787, this document, above and beyond the Declaration of Independence, established our government’s framework as well as the rights and freedoms we enjoy today. Although the U.S. system is a representative democracy and not a direct democracy, its roots hail from the ancient Greek idea of demokratia — a combination of δῆμος (demos or “people) and κράτος (krátos or “power’) that means the people hold the power. But what would the ancient Greeks (then known as Hellenes) think of democracy in the United States today? What lessons have we heeded? Which have we overlooked? What have we done better … and worse. Philosophy professor Dr. Jack Simmons joins Leigh in a celebration and contemplation of the people’s government.
(Painting “The Age of Pericles” by Philipp von Foltz, 1852)
To skip the intro, fast forward to the 2:24 mark.
