The reception of Peisistratus’ horizontal egalitarianism in sixth century Attica: implications for scholarship

Abstract

Egalitarianism is an inclination of thought within political philosophy that discusses the practice of social equality for all people. In public administration, egalitarianism is a practice where leaders create conditions for equality of all. Scholars such as John Locke and John Rawls have immensely contributed to the nuances of egalitarianism from a universalist perspective, as examined in the introduction of the paper. However, the universalist view of equalitarianism does not help the comprehensive understanding of the practice of egalitarian systems across past and contemporary societies. Before Locke and Rawls‟ egalitarianism, in Attica‟s 8th-6th century politico-economic history, there was already the practice of two different egalitarian systems shaped by power relations. By examining the practice of egalitarianism in this period in Attica through historical methods, conceptual analysis, and Marcella Frangipane‟s egalitarianism, one can appreciate how the formation of state and power structures influenced the practice of egalitarian systems and normatively suggest which kind of equality resonates with ours or needs to be adopted. The 8th and 6th century B.C. Attica‟s power dynamics led to the practice of (1) a vertical egalitarian system during the aristocratic rule and (2) a horizontal egalitarian system, which emerged during Peisistratus‟ leadership. Unlike the aristocratic governance, Peisistratus‟ leadership enabled the practice of economic equality. We deduce that the mode of leadership determines the kind of equality and inequality to be identified in any political community. Hence, we conclude that equality is power-based and evolving in practice, although it may have universal normative dispositions.