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Choosing Peace Instead of War. A Lesson from Athenian Democracy

Author

Listed:
  • Economou Emmanouil M.L.

    (Emmanouil M.L. Economou, Department of Economics, University of Thessaly, Korai 43 Street, Volos, Magnesia 38333, Greece)

  • Kyriazis Nicholas C.

    (Department of Economics, University of Thessaly, Volos, Magnesia, Greece)

Abstract
The present essay discusses how a society can make decisions on specific issues according to how flexible or rigid it is in accepting new ideas and trends. Then, it explains how Athenian society abandoned war in favor of a grand peace strategy during the second half of the 4th century BCE. To achieve this, two visionary Athenian policymakers, Eubulus and Lycurgus, introduced fiscal expansionary policy programs which proved beneficial for the majority of the citizens. Through expansionary public works programs, Athenian citizens were now able to make decisions based on rational choices, based on a wider economic prospective. They could now gain more during periods of peace (as traders, ship-owners, “industrialists” etc.), providing compensation to the poor.

Suggested Citation

  • Economou Emmanouil M.L. & Kyriazis Nicholas C., 2016. "Choosing Peace Instead of War. A Lesson from Athenian Democracy," Peace Economics, Peace Science, and Public Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 22(2), pages 191-212, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:pepspp:v:22:y:2016:i:2:p:191-212:n:1
    DOI: 10.1515/peps-2015-0038
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    social choice; open society; fiscal expansionary programs; grand peace strategy; Late 4th century BCE Athens;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H30 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - General
    • H53 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Welfare Programs
    • H56 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - National Security and War
    • N43 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification
    • Z18 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Public Policy

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