What did Pericles think about citizens who refrained from participating in politics?

Pericles, the influential ancient Athenian statesman, is known to have held strong views about the importance of citizen participation in politics. In his famous Funeral Oration, as recounted by the historian Thucydides in "The History of the Peloponnesian War," Pericles is quoted expressing the idea that citizens who do not participate in public affairs are not simply uninvolved; he saw them as useless. He believed that every citizen of Athens should be engaged in the political life of the polis (city-state), which was an integral part of being a full member of the community.

According to Pericles, the greatness of Athens was the result of the collective effort and involvement of all its citizens, and it was the duty of a citizen to contribute to the common good. Participation in politics was not only a right but also a responsibility. He argued that those who were only concerned with their personal lives and did not contribute to the public discourse or the decision-making process lacked a certain virtue that was essential for the prosperity and the democratic fabric of Athenian society.

Extra: The context in which Pericles made this assertion about citizen participation was deeply rooted in the principles of Athenian democracy. In 5th century BCE Athens, democracy was direct, meaning that citizens did not elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf; instead, they gathered in the assembly and actively participated in the decision-making process themselves. This was a very different system from most modern democracies, which are representative in nature.

Athenian democracy required a level of engagement that made the polis a central part of an individual's identity. Decisions regarding war, foreign policy, and domestic issues were made by a quorum of citizens who showed up to vote at the assembly. Not only was active political participation encouraged, but it was also seen as an integral part of leading a balanced and fulfilling life – a concept known as 'eudaimonia.'

The Athenian ideal was that well-informed and active citizens were necessary to maintain the political system and ensure the welfare of the state. This belief held that every citizen contributed to the state's moral and intellectual character, and neglecting that duty was a disservice to the community as a whole.

This concept extends to modern discussions about citizenship and democracy, where the idea of civic responsibility suggests that informed and active participation in governance is key to maintaining a healthy and functioning society. The historical perspective provided by figures like Pericles can still inform our understanding of the role that individual citizens play in the life of their country and the importance of their involvement in the political process.