Ober: Introductory remarks
1. According to Perikles' statement, how involved were ancient Athenians in their democratic politics? How does this compare to modern citizens' attitudes in the U.S.?

2. What aspects of Athenian democracy might moderns find disturbing?

3. What irony about Athenian democracy and free speech does Ober express? Is there a similar irony in modern U.S. democracy?

4. Ober argues that modern use of the term "democracy" is vague. Do you agree? How do YOU define democracy?

1. What was the relationship between writing and democracy in ancient Athens according to Hedrick?
2. Is writing or speech inherently more democratic, according to Hedrick?
3. How important is writing to modern U.S. democracy?

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