Death of a democracy

To the Editor: Sound contemporary? “Words had to change their ordinary meaning... and to take that...now given them. Reckless audacity came to be considered...courage [.] [P]rudent hesitation [was] specious cowardice, moderation...a cloak for unmanliness, ability to see all sides of a question inaptness to act on any. Frantic violence became the attribute of manliness[.] ... The advocate of extreme measures was always trustworthy, the opponent a man to be suspected [.] ... To forestall an intending criminal, or to suggest the idea of a crime where it was wanting, [ were] equally commended[.] ... [E]ven blood became a weaker tie than party, from the superior readiness of those united by the latter to dare everything without reserve, for such associations had not in view the blessings derivable from established institutions but were formed by their ambition for their overthrow[.] ...The fair proposals of an adversary were met with jealous precautions[.] ... Oaths of reconciliation, being only proffered on either side to meet an immediate difficulty, only held good [if] no other weapon was at hand[.] ... [M]en [were] readier to call rogues clever[.] ... [T]he cause of all these evils was the lust for power arising from greed and ambition[.] ... The ancient simplicity into which honour so largely entered was laughed down and disappeared, and society became divided into camps ... no man trusted his fellow[.] ... [In] this contest the blunter wits were more successful. They feared to be worsted,... and so at once boldly had recourse to action … while their adversaries, [who] arrogantly [thought] they should know in time, and that it was unnecessary to secure by action what policy afforded, often fell victims to their want of precaution.” (Thucydides The Peloponnesian War pp 189-191 Modern Library College Editions Random House 1951.)

Greek democracy died in roughly 404 BC with the fall of Athens.

Steve Monroe

Sonora