Political Dissent in Democratic Athens

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The book explores the emergence of political theorizing in Athens during the late fifth and fourth centuries B.C., focusing on the debate surrounding democracy. Josiah Ober examines how elite Greek thinkers grappled with the success of Athenian democracy, despite their belief in the incompetence of ordinary citizens. Following oligarchic coups, the contrasting responses of democrats and oligarchs highlighted the complexities of governance, prompting critics to reassess the connections between politics, ethics, and morality in a democratic context.