Mass and Elite in Democratic Athens by Josiah Ober; -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents Preface Abbreviations I. Problems and Method

A. Democracy: Athenian and Modern B. Elites and Masses C. Explaining Sociopolitical Stability

1. Denial of the Reality of the Democracy 2. Constitutional and Legal Explanations 3. Empire 4. Slavery 5. Middle-Class Moderation and the Resources of Attica 6. Face-to-Face Society 7. Genius, Corporate and Individual

D. Premises and Methods E. Rhetoric F. Other Primary Sources

II. History of the Athenian “Constitution”: A Diachronic Survey

A. Introduction B. Before Solon: Birth Elite C. Solon: Wealth Elite and Masses D. Pisistratus and the Aspirations of the Demos E. Cleisthenes’ Isonomia

1. Citizens, Demes, and Consensus 2. Council and Assembly 3. Ostracism

F. Fifth Century

1. Constitutional Reforms to ca. 440 2. Context of Reform 3. Elite Leadership 4. Pericles 5. Demagogues and Generals 6. Counter-Revolution

G. Fourth Century

III. Public Speakers and Mass Audiences

A. Mass Communication B. Classes of Public Speakers: Rhetores and Idiōtai

1. “Rhetor” and Other Terms for Politician 2. Legal Standing of Rhetores and Idiōtai

C. Elite Status of Public Speakers D. Politics and Political Organization

1. Rhetores and Stratēgoi 2. Political Groups versus Individual Leadership 3. Politicians and Role Differentiation

E. Public Forums of Debate and Communication

1. Demography and Subsistence 2. Assembly (Ekklēsia) 3. Council (Boulē) and Areopagus 4. People’s Courts (Dikastēria) 5. Rumor (Phēmē) 6. Theater

IV. Ability and Education: The Power of Persuasion

A. Educated Elites B. Group Decisions and Collective Wisdom

1. Natural Ability and Formal Education of Ordinary Athenians 2. Practical Education in Politics 3. Normative Function of State Institutions 4. Wisdom of the Masses

C. Dangers of Rhetoric

1. Rhetoric versus Mass Wisdom 2. Evils of Rhetorical Education: Sophists and Sycophants 3. Innocence, Ignorance, and Dramatic Fictions

D. Rhetores’ Use of Poetry and History E. Rhetores on the Advantages of Elite Education F. Ambivalence and Balance

V. Class: Wealth, Resentment, and Gratitude

A. Economic Inequality in the Egalitarian State

1. Definitions and Terminology 2. Fears of Class Revolution 3. Modes of Redistribution: Liturgies, Taxes, Fines 4. Functional Consequences of Economic Inequality

B. Envy, Resentment, and the Evils of Wealth

1. Ostentation, Luxuriousness, and Decadence 2. Arrogance and Hubris 3. Corruption of Social Relations

C. Wealth and Power Inequality

1. Political Clout through Withholding Contributions 2. Legal Advantages

D. Mediating Negative Impressions of Wealth

1. Moderation and Hard Work 2. Dramatic Fictions and Tensions within the Ideology of Wealth

E. Charis: Private Generosity and Public Gratitude F. Politicians and the Ideology of Wealth

1. Liturgies and Charis 2. Poverty as a Reproach: The Evils of Sudden Wealth 3. Bribery 4. Justifiable Pride in Wealth

G. Control of Economic Inequality by Political Equals

VI. Status: Noble Birth and Aristocratic Behavior

A. Status and Social Standing B. Athenian Aristocrats

1. Gennētai and Aristocratic Pursuits 2. Aristocratic Privilege: Reality and Image

C. Democratization of Birth Privilege

1. Autochthony and Patriotism 2. Citizenship and Charis

D. Slavery and the Ideology of Labor

1. Slave Status and Slavish Behavior 2. Slavish Occupations and the Virtues of Hard Work 3. Freedom and Labor in the Political Arena

E. Tensions within the Ideology of Status

1. Politicians’ Aristocratic Pretensions 2. Ēthos versus Achievement

F. Subversion of the Aristocratic Ethos

VII. Conclusions: Dialectics and Discourse

A. Political Equality and Social Inequality B. Liberty and Consensus C. Rule of Law and the Sovereign Demos D. Ideology and the Balance of Mass and Elite

1. Idiōtai and Social Balance 2. Politicians and Political Balance 3. Origin of the Balance

E. Political Roles of the Rhetor

1. Mouthpiece of Public Opinion 2. Protector of the People 3. Adviser 4. Leader, Critic, Opposer of the People’s Will 5. Importance of Being Elitist

F. Restraints on Politicians

1. Legal Controls 2. Character and Policy

G. Ideological Hegemony of the Masses

1. Athens and the Iron Law of Oligarchy 2. Discourse of Democracy

Appendix: Catalogue of Speeches and Citation Index Select Bibliography Index

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