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The Cleisthenes Project
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The Cleisthenes Project brings state recognition to
persons who have had a significant impact on democratic governance.
This is accomplished through creation of plaster busts of these great
figures for display inside the Ohio Statehouse. The first bust honored
Greek statesman Cleisthenes, the Father of Democracy. The Statehouse’s
bust of Cleisthenes was the first ever made. It was crafted by Anna
Christoforidis a native of Greece and a world-renowned sculptress.
The Cleisthenes project will also fund the acquisition of a bust of
United States Founding Father Thomas Jefferson.
Who was Cleisthenes?
Cleisthenes is credited with creating the model
for our modern-day democracy. In 510 B.C., Cleisthenes received the
backing of the common people of Attica, the area around Athens, by
promising them the right to vote in assembly. Cleisthenes was an unlikely
champion of the common man. He was born into a rich and aristocratic
family at a time when the city was deeply divided between commoners
and noblemen.
Cleisthenes changed the electoral system of Attica.
He divided the citizenry into ten electoral districts, each district
containing precincts from the city proper, the coast and inland areas
with roughly an equal number of citizens. Each precinct chose men over
thirty years of age for the Council of 500. The council consisted of
fifty representatives from each district were chosen by lot. The Council
members took an oath and began their terms at the beginning of the
year. Each member could only serve one year; no one could serve more
than two years in a row or serve more than twice. Cleisthenes also
established a voter registration system to provide for direct voter
participation.
Many people opposed Cleisthenes’ changes, creating an environment
hostile to the evolution of democracy. It would take at least two generations
for Cleisthenes’ form of government to become fully developed,
beginning with the early efforts of Solon and continuing with Pericles. |
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