Which society used democracy?

• A. Athens
• B. Sparta
• C. Carthage
• D. Rome

Answer: (A)

Democracy means people have a direct say in laws and government decisions through voting and debate. Athens is the classic early example of this in the ancient world. In the 5th century BCE, free adult male citizens could participate in the Assembly to vote on laws and policies, and the Council of 500 prepared those proposals while juries chosen by lot settled court cases. This kind of direct participation—ordinary citizens voting on matters rather than electing reps to decide for them—defines their practice, even though it excluded women, slaves, and non-citizens. Sparta, by contrast, was governed largely by an oligarchy with two kings, a council, and ephors, not a system where ordinary citizens vote on most decisions. Carthage and Rome had different arrangements too: Carthage was dominated by a merchant-aristocratic elite, and Rome operated as a republic with elected representatives rather than a direct democracy. So Athens is the society associated with democracy among these choices.