During the fifth century BCE, the so-called "Golden Age" of Athenian culture, Athens could lay claim to being a democratic society. Indeed, as the famous funeral oration by Pericles, the city's greatest leader, demonstrates, Athenian culture revolved around the ideals of liberty, the rule of law, and relative openness. Athens featured a form of direct democracy, one in which citizens could vote directly on city laws and policies.

Athenian citizens prized civic engagement and activity and disdained those who could, but did not, take part in public life. Elected representatives were chosen from the city's citizens by lot, which meant that everyone was expected to serve in city government if called upon. This political culture also featured a great deal of intellectual freedom, and multiple sources describe a vibrant culture of public debate. For this reason, Athens became a center of philosophy and of learning.

Still, from a modern perspective, Athenian society was less democratic than is sometimes represented. The majority of Athenians were not citizens and could not vote. Especially after the Persian War, Athens behaved essentially as an imperial state, exacting tributes from many of its neighbors. And Athenian politics was not always high-minded. It featured a number of demagogues (indeed, the word comes from ancient Greek) and was often characterized by backstabbing, maneuvering, and public betrayals.