Can an entire nation rule the state? What did Solon do to develop democracy?
The people can take part in governing the state. This is called democracy, and such states – with a democratic form of government. Basically, participation in governance is expressed in the right of free choice of representatives to state governing bodies. Examples of democratic governance have been known since ancient times. This was the rule of Solon in the city-state of Athens (elected in 564 BC). Solon approved the People’s Assembly as the supreme body of power, in which all citizens of the state were to take part. At the same time, there was a “council of four hundred”, which dealt with current affairs, and also influenced the assembly of the people and the aristocracy. Cases in court were considered in a “jury trial”, also an elected body.