In Ancient Greece, Cleisthenes was responsible for bringing back Athens to a democracy by abolishing kinship. By the 5th century BC, officials were elected by sortition, with the exception of military generals.

Cleisthenes established the boule, a council of 500 citizens divided into 10 groups based on region, all selected by lot. They all participated in the meetings within the ekklesia. The ekklesia was the assembly where male citizens met to debate and discuss politics. At one point, citizens were paid by the government to participate in political discussion by attending theaters, which were more public gathering places that served the same purpose.