As Greek ambassador to the United States, Alexandros Mallias works closely with the one of the most influential democracies in the world. However, only he can correctly say that his country invented democracy.

Mallias did just that in a dialogue with Professor Emertia of Classics Susan Wiltshire last Monday in which he examined the Greek origins of the American political system, as well as how the American system diverges and converges with its Greek origins of democracy.

The Office of Active Citizenship and East House sponsored the event. The discussion catered mostly to first-year students hoping to gain classical insight during a heated election season.

According to Mallias, America's founders inherited an imperfect system. Despite this, America is perhaps the best demonstration of a participatory, representative democracy, Mallias said.

He cited the use of primaries and caucuses as a unique application of Greek democracy.

Ambassador Mallias' remarks also emphasized the inquisitive and prodding nature of Greeks.

"Greeks were especially adapted to virtues of versatility and grace. They were trained to ask questions about ideas of self, natural phenomena and that which we cannot perceive," said Mallias.

Wiltshire enumerated Athens's predisposition towards democracy with a 10-point list. Among her reasons were the subtle and nuanced Greek language and a lack of central authority on truth.