How was democracy born in ancient Athens?

The answer

Athenian democracy, established by the reforms of Cleisthenes around 508 BCE, allowed citizens to vote directly on laws and policies in the Assembly (ekklesia). However, 'citizens' meant only free adult males born to Athenian parents - excluding women, enslaved people, and foreigners, which meant roughly 80% of the population had no vote. Despite this, it was revolutionary: officials were chosen by lottery to prevent corruption, and any citizen could propose legislation or speak in debate.