Sortition

Definition

Sortition is a method of selecting officials or making decisions through random selection, often seen as a way to ensure fairness and reduce corruption in governance. This practice was fundamental to the democratic system of ancient Athens, where citizens were chosen by lot to hold public office, thereby promoting equal participation in political life. By incorporating sortition, the Athenian democracy sought to diminish the influence of wealth and social status on political power.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sortition was used in ancient Athens as a means to select various public officials, including members of the Boule, or council.
2. The use of sortition aimed to ensure that all eligible citizens had an equal chance of holding office, thus promoting democratic ideals.
3. Sortition was seen as a safeguard against the emergence of elitism and corruption within the political system.
4. In addition to political offices, sortition was also used for jury selection in Athenian courts, reflecting its importance in the legal system.
5. Despite its historical significance, sortition has not been widely adopted in modern governance, though it is occasionally discussed as a potential reform for increasing civic engagement.

Review Questions

• How did sortition contribute to the democratic processes in ancient Athens?
  • Sortition played a crucial role in ancient Athenian democracy by providing a method for selecting public officials that emphasized equality among citizens. By choosing officials randomly rather than through elections, it allowed all eligible citizens an equal opportunity to participate in governance, reducing the likelihood of power being concentrated in the hands of a wealthy elite. This practice reinforced the notion that every citizen had a stake in the democratic process and should have a chance to influence governmental decisions.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of sortition as a mechanism for preventing corruption and elitism within Athenian politics.
  • Sortition was effective in mitigating corruption and elitism within Athenian politics by eliminating biases associated with wealth and social status. The random selection process ensured that even those from lower socio-economic backgrounds could assume positions of power and influence. However, while sortition reduced opportunities for bribery and favoritism often seen in elections, it did not completely eliminate the potential for unqualified individuals holding office. The success of this system depended on the overall civic engagement and education of Athenian citizens.
• Assess how the concept of sortition has influenced modern discussions on democratic reforms and citizen participation.
  • Sortition's historical roots in ancient Athens have sparked renewed interest in contemporary debates about democratic reforms aimed at enhancing citizen participation and reducing political disenfranchisement. Advocates argue that incorporating sortition into modern governance could diversify political representation and counteract systemic inequalities inherent in electoral systems. As societies grapple with increasing disillusionment towards traditional political structures, sortition is often proposed as an innovative solution to create more inclusive decision-making processes that engage ordinary citizens directly in governance.

Related terms

Democracy: A system of government in which power is vested in the people, who exercise that power directly or through elected representatives.

Boule: The council of 500 in ancient Athens responsible for setting the agenda for the Assembly and making decisions on various state matters.

Ostracism: A political process in ancient Athens allowing citizens to vote to exile an individual deemed a threat to the state for a period of ten years.