• Research Paper on:
    Merger of Democracy and Imperialism According to Pericles

    Number of Pages: 5

     

    Summary of the research paper:

    In five pages this paper analyzes the funeral oration of Athenian ruler Pericles in a contrast and comparison of ancient Greece's imperialism and democracy. Three sources are cited in the bibliography.

    Name of Research Paper File: D0_MTthucyd.rtf

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    mind, freedom to congregate, and freedom to vote for specific officials. It is, in particular, the freedom to vote ones choice that shapes a democracy. However, mention "empire" or "imperial  state" and what might come to mind is the opposite of democracy - a nation directed by a power-hungry ruler (or rulers), eager to impose his/her/their will on the general  populace. And unlike a democracy, these rulers dont come to prominence through an election, but rather, inherit their titles or self-appoint themselves as monarchs, kings and queens. Yet according to  Pericles, who ruled Athens during the Peloponnesian War around 400 BCE, democracy and imperialism can co-exist. He manages to make the comparison, although somewhat elusively, through his famous Funeral Oration,  which praised the souls and bravery of those slain in the war between Athens and Sparta in Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War.  In fact, Pericles oration did a good job of praising Athens democracy, while advancing his own political career (Hall 41). Pericles begins his oration by praising Athens as a  city with a unique government, one that hasnt had to borrow from other nations or institutions to survive Thucydides 143). Pericles, in fact, goes out of his way to put  Athens up as the shining example of democracy saying: "Let me say that our system of government does not copy the institution of our neighbors . . . our constitution  is called a democracy because power is in the hands of, not a minority, but of the whole people " (Thucydides 143).  Yet in the same speech, Pericles moves from his "many hands to rule one country" philosophy to hint that only one person can truly unite or know the will of 

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