Nature of Athenian Democracy
Most Athenian citizens (free born adult males only) would have had some experience in government service, at least at the local level. A combination of selection by lot and rotation of offices formed a series of formidable ‘checks and balances’, to prevent domination by one individual or faction. The exception to the rule was the strategoi – the generals – who were elected annually by the Assembly and who could be re-elected year in, year out. (Presumably, the Athenians realized that when fighting, it’s best to have the most able men in charge!) The repeated use of selection by lot suggests that the Athenians saw civic participation as each man’s duty – not a right – and every citizen as being, almost by definition, capable of useful participation in civic life.