Greek democracy, particularly in ancient Athens, was a system of government where citizens participated directly in decision-making. Unlike modern representative democracies, Athenian democracy allowed free male citizens to vote on laws and policies in large assemblies. This system emphasized civic involvement and the idea that citizens had a direct role in shaping their government. Key features of Greek democracy included the use of sortition to select officials and the practice of ostracism, where citizens could vote to exile individuals deemed a threat to the state. While this system was revolutionary for its time, it excluded women, slaves, and non-citizens from participation.