This document summarizes the key influences on American democracy from ancient Greece and Rome to Enlightenment thinkers. It discusses the differences between direct and indirect democracy and how both are used in the US system. The main influences discussed are: 1) Greek democracy and its legacy of citizen assemblies and elected councils/executives; 2) Roman contributions like a two-house legislature, written laws, and innocent until proven guilty; 3) British constitutional developments such as limits on royal power and the development of Parliament; 4) Judeo-Christian traditions of equality and personal responsibility; 5) Enlightenment thinkers including Locke, Hobbes, Montesquieu, and Voltaire who advocated for natural rights, separation of powers,

1. Foundations of Democracy Influences for Our Own Government