What were the strengths and shortcomings of Athenian democracy? Why do you think that neither Alexander the Great nor the successor Hellenistic rulers tried to implement a democratic political system?

Athenian democracy was direct which led to a more conscious citizenship about political affairs, however most of the inhabitants of Athens were not considered citizens. Alexander the Great was not interested on implementing a demoractic system due to the diplomatic problems between Macedonia and Athens.

Explanation:

Athenian Democracy: Strengths and shortcomings

It is said Athenian democracy is one of the first democracies in the world. It was a direct system, which means citizens did not vote for representatives to rule on behalf of the rest of the inhabitants, but the citizens participate directly on politcal decisions, in fact it was a must of any any Athenian who met certain requirements (age, military training, etc). Unfortunately, we can debate how democratic that system was becasue most of the people in Athens were not rated as citizens. Slaves, foreigners, women and children were not citizens, reducing the amount of eligible candidates to be part of Athenian democracy.

Alexander the Great

Macedonia, led by Alexander the Great in conjuntion with the other Greek states fought together against Persia, however, after the war, the relations with those states got fragile which led to a War promoted by Athens and Sparta against Alexander. Macedonia won the war and was not interested on adapt political ideas of their former enemies, in fact democracy in Athens got limited during Macedonian domain.