What Makes Athens So Odd?

Graeber argues that most societies either have one or the other of having a decision-making apparatus where people have equal say, and a violent enforcement mechanism. In order to keep your community from just tiring itself apart through constant conflict, Graeber says you have to create political solutions that people are willing to live with. Athens has both of these things: It has this principle that like people should be able to make decisions for themselves collectively by,. you know, through a process that doesn't involve them all being ruled by just like some guy.