"our constitution does not copy the laws of neighboring states; we are rather a pattern to others than imitators ourselves. its administration favors the many instead of the few; this is why it is called a democracy. if we look to the laws, they afford equal justice to all in their private differences; if to social standing, advancement in public life falls to reputation for capacity, class considerations not being allowed to interfere with merit; nor again does poverty bar the way, if a man is able to serve the state, he is not hindered by the obscurity of his

if we turn to our military policy, there also we differ from our antagonists. we throw open our city to the world, and never by alien acts exclude foreigners from any opportunity of learning or observing, although the eyes of an enemy may occasionally profit by our liberality; trusting less in system and policy than to the native spirit of our citizens; while in education, where our rivals from their very cradles by a painful discipline seek after manliness, at athens we live exactly as we , and yet are just as ready to encounter every legitimate danger."

question:
how is the interplay between the needs of the group and the needs of an individual addressed in this primary source from ancient athens? what is more influential or important in athenian society, the group or the individual? how does the source make that case? you must pick one argument – don’t argue both sides!