Although I've never come across any actual election procedure articles or reprints of manuals for elections in ancient Greece, from what I've read, Athenian democracy didn't function only by people deciding by themselves to stand for office as candidates. Sometimes, it appears, they would be drafted for the positions, or otherwise get selected for important office because people recognized some virtues and talents in them that the community needed. Having lived long enough and read enough history and political coverage to believe in democratic self-rule but to be absolutely appalled by the megalomaniacs, mediocrities, thieves, and swine who make up the leadership in all human affairs, not just elected offices, I am convinced that there has got to be a better way to get better leadership than by letting self-selected egotists compete for them. This country has produced some great leaders and quite a bit of utopian experimentation, and might possibly be inspired to produce more. Unfortunately, things have gotten to the point that most decent or humane people, even those who were politically active or idealistic in their youth, do not have the stomach or the financial resources or family time to be able to dive into the political cesspool and try to turn things around. Perhaps something like the jury system would be better than letting a bunch of vulgar thieving, whoring politicans monpolize boards, commisions, legislatures, and the public dialogue of leadership in our society. Think of Pericles, then think of "W".