Which statement best describes the purpose of ancient Athens' democracy?

• A. It centralized power in a king.
• B. It allowed citizens to participate in governing decisions.
• C. It created a system of feudal lords.
• D. It promoted isolationism.

Answer: (B)

Democracy in ancient Athens aimed to put governance in the hands of the people who were eligible to participate. In that system, citizens could gather in the Assembly to debate, propose, and vote on laws and policies, and officials were often chosen by lot, spreading political influence beyond a single ruler. This stands in contrast to rule by a king, or a system where power rests with feudal lords, and it isn’t about avoiding contact with others. Context helps: citizenship was limited to free male residents, so not everyone could participate, but the core idea was that decisions shaping the city were made through citizen involvement rather than imposed by a monarch.