Then they stayed not to hear the marshal’s cry But on a show of hands would have it so. It was the voice of the Pelasgians’ King That moved them, suppling the persuasive word,
~ The Suppliant Maidens by Aeschylus (G. M. Cookson translation. p9. line 620)
Danaus informs his daughters that King Pelasgus talked to the people, and they voted to protect them. The Egyptian fleet arrives, and the Herald (spokesperson) demands the girls be given back. Pelasgus intervenes, threatens the Herald, and sends him back. A chorus of the Danaids and their handmaidens praise King Pelasgus and the people of Argos.
The mention of ‘show of hands’ indicates that the voting happened by raising hands. This instance might have been the first recorded instance of democracy that the world is following even now. Of all the systems of governance that humans have used in different parts of the world, democracy is the system that most people like. There is an ideological, calming sense of fairness and justice that democracy promises. People feel that they have a sense of control over their own fate. But when they hear about corruption and manipulation, the sense of control is lost, and people become cynical.