utward expressions of force. It was during his time that the once voluntary allies of Athens learnt that they were no longer partners of equal standing with Athens but rather colonies that were exploited. Pericles arbitrarily doubled their of tribute; anyone who was insubordinate was being punished (Kagan 70). The most glorious years of Athenian democracy were thus directly linked to unjust foreign exploitation, a development that accelerated after Pericles death. This factor lead at length to revolt among the allied states and weakening the position of Athens. During the Peloponnesian War, which was embarked on by Pericles, the democratic forces in Athens were engaged in a constant struggle for their livelihood of their ideals. Those who were for democratic ideals knew that a victory for Sparta that was idealized by the intellectuals against democracy would at the same time mean an end to their own popular power. Another reason the democracy fell in Athens was the rich never understood the complaints of the poor. The poor afford to adopt the prudence of the rich. Athens remained, despite its democracy, a class society.Athens developed a democracy with the reforms of Cleisthenes and Pericles. The democracy of Athens worked well until imperialism became a major focus as a way to gain money. How democratic was the Athenian government? It was democratic in the sense that participation by the people was mandatory in order to run the government. But the participation of the people excluded women and slaves. Later under Pericles this came to include men who were not born to parents who were natives of Athens. The democracy in Athens gave a stepping stone to what is seen today as democracy....
