What an Athenian Would Think of our Present Day Democracy

First off, I want to say that I think there would be different reactions for the different kinds of people that saw our present day democracy. These different people I am mainly refering to are leaders and commoners. These two peoples would have quite a different experience and out take the the whole situation. The leader being one of these first revolutionarys in democray would understand and why everyone gets to vote. they would most likely understand that there was a progresion of rights leading up to that, similar to their new democracy granting commoners a say. Where as a commoner would more likely be apauled to see some of the people voting, and not see the value in giving everyone a say, no matter how small. However they would probably both disagree with our indirect way of presidential elections with the electoral colledge, and representatives making our decisions. they would probably agree that our government is more fair and just than the other countries around us although the problems they have might be reconsidered as they should in their minds because some of these things have to work with indirect democracy because of the much greater size of our country.

Mayan Valuse in our Modern World

Even though the Mayans lived decades ago, they still had values similar to some those we have today, which i am going to portray. First off, they highly valued math and science, they had their own number system, and were the first civilization to represent zero as a number or concept. They also were very scientifically advanced for their time. Proven by their extensive knowledge of the human anatomy, their astonishingly accurate calendar which could predict major events for years to come, and even their capability to preform brain surgery!they also valued the gods, and prayed to them as we do to ours present day. Also demonstrating through out history with the Mayans and our present day people as no exception there are family structural values, were the women cook and clean, and the men go into battle and play sports and so on.

I am comparing Legalists and Confucians. These two groups had a very different way of ruling and keeping order that were both effective for different reasons. Legalists ruled mostly through strict laws, dictating, and fear. They also didn't really believe that people could, or should think for themselves because they are fundamentally bad and should be controlled and kept in their place. Confucians on the other hand believe that people are fundamentally good and should be given a place or at least a say in government(peoples government). They strongly believe in education and hard work, so if some one were to work hard and get educated they could move up in class. I believe that through fear and through love you can maintain order but respect, peace and love is more enlightened and causes a bettered society.

blog entry #3

I believe that the most effective way for a leader to most easily gain control would be through fear and intimidation. Even though there might be other ways, through respect and democracy, the most effective would be to portray dominance over people to keep them in order and let them know their place. It is very animalistic to respond to fear like that and let it control you. Yet that our origin. We spawned from animals. Animals respond to it and so do we.

However, I personally believe that ultimately, the best way to do this is to teach people to get along and the meaning of opportunity while cooperating in a democratic society. This personal belief of mine is, however, a more just way of going about things. Yet it might be harder to achieve, it is not impossible. Although we do have animalistic instincts, we have a higher intellect and perception which differs us from animals. Which is why we should be able to create a more peaceful and complex society.

Blog Entry #2

I agree with Jared Diamonds thesis of geographic luck leading to the Europeans conquering of the world. to me it makes perfect sense, in all humans across the globe your going to have a range of smart to dumb, and all of them but a few will be ignorant. so the only reason why a certain culture would advance, would be that it was given the opportunity to do so. that opportunity being a surplus of food, created by farmable plants and domesticatable animals leading to artists, specialists, entertainers politicians, leaders, and rulers being fed. then those people advance the culture farther, and more people stay in communities and farm more, and a cycle begins which creates an advanced civilization.

1. Advantages and Disadvantages of Farming

I believe that the advantages of agriculture and farming definitely out way the disadvantages. The main advantage being complex and organized civilizations fully functioning economies, which leads to a growing population being more prosperous than a still hunting and gathering one. If everyone with their own farm can stay still and create a permanent home with neighbors, that forms communities. Plus farming creates a surplus so you also end up having economies that reward and sustain technological developments. The only disadvantages i can think of are diseased crops=whole field dead, wild animals getting your crops, and moving if needed is very hard, however the surplus kind of takes care of most of that.