Life is often marked by crucial moments that define our paths and shape our futures. For Josiah Ober, a prominent scholar at Stanford University, a significant turning point occurred in 1983 when the Greek government unexpectedly denied his application to conduct essential archaeological fieldwork. This denial not only thwarted his immediate research ambitions but also compelled him to reevaluate the trajectory of his academic career.

At that time, Ober was a young assistant professor in the History Department at Montana State University, facing a critical tenure decision. This unforeseen setback led him to revisit his earlier studies, particularly a profound speech by the ancient Greek orator and statesman, Demosthenes. Ober found himself captivated by a striking contradiction within Demosthenes' rhetoric: the wealthy orator vocally criticized the privileges associated with his social standing.

Over the next six years, Ober dedicated himself to an in-depth exploration of the intricate dynamics between elite and non-elite citizens in ancient Athens. His research illuminated how these distinct groups coexisted and collaboratively influenced the burgeoning landscape of Athenian democracy. This rigorous academic journey culminated in the publication of his seminal book, Mass and Elite in Democratic Athens: Rhetoric, Ideology, and the Power of the People, released by Princeton University Press in 1989. The work uniquely blended political sociology with historical inquiry, setting a new standard for scholarship in this field.

Ober's book was released during a time of profound global transformation. In 1989, the world witnessed pivotal political shifts, notably the collapse of communism across Soviet Russia, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and widespread democratic uprisings in Central Europe. Countries like Poland and Hungary were fervently striving to carve out self-governing states amid a backdrop of political upheaval. In this climate, Ober's exploration of ancient Greek democracy provided invaluable insights into the mechanisms that contribute to the success and failure of democratic systems, making his work particularly timely and relevant.

Looking back, Ober remarked on the profound impact of his research, stating, "It made my career." In the years that followed, he joined the faculty at Princeton University in 1991. His academic journey continued to flourish when he became a member of the Stanford faculty in 2006. Currently, he holds the esteemed Markos & Eleni Kounalakis Chair in Honor of Constantine Mitsotakis within the School of Humanities and Sciences. Additionally, he has joint appointments in political science and classics, and has recently been honored as a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution.

A heartfelt dedication permeates Ober's work, particularly evident in the book Mass and Elite, where he pays tribute to a significant influence in his life: his father, Nathaniel Ober. The poignant inscription reads, "For my father, Nathaniel Ober, whose praxis helped me to formulate a hypothesis." Nathaniel was not only an educator but also a passionate civil rights advocate. He served as a high school principal and later as the superintendent of secondary schools in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during a challenging period of desegregation. His commitment to racial equality was evident through his active participation in the historic Selma to Montgomery marches led by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1965, an experience that deeply reinforced his principles of justice and equality.

Reflecting on his formative years, Josiah Ober shared, "He wanted us to learn for ourselves what it was to live in a world in which we weren't privileged." This upbringing led him and his siblings to attend schools in some of the most impoverished districts of Minneapolis, where they encountered significant racial tensions and challenges. Ober described these schools as tough environments where police presence was sometimes necessary, underscoring the realities of violence and conflict that shaped his early understanding of societal coexistence.

The struggles he faced during these years equipped him with a unique perspective on the complexities of living harmoniously in a diverse society. These experiences significantly influenced his academic focus on the intricacies of democratic coexistence, a theme that reverberates throughout his scholarly work.

Throughout his teaching and research, Ober has consistently delved into the tensions inherent within pluralistic societies. He frequently poses the question: how can societies honor a multitude of perspectives while still achieving cohesive decision-making? According to Ober, ancient Athens serves as a pivotal case study. Within this city-state, citizens were deeply engaged in democratic processes, with many participating in civic assemblies and holding executive roles by the age of 30. They directly experienced the results of their political choices, fostering a culture of active civic participation.

The democratic framework of ancient Athens, particularly during the era of influential figures such as Demosthenes and Plato, was characterized by robust legal structures designed to safeguard against the tyranny of the majority. Furthermore, ancient Athenians faced the challenge of reconciling individuals with vastly divergent worldviews, experiences, and moral convictions, a challenge that continues to resonate in contemporary society.

Recently, Ober has further explored these themes in his latest publication, The Civic Bargain: How Democracy Survives, co-authored with writer and historian Brooke Manville. This 2023 release examines historical trajectories stretching from ancient Greece to the founding of the United States, providing valuable insights for strengthening democracy in today's landscape.

In addition to his academic pursuits, Ober has played a pivotal role in revitalizing civics education at Stanford University. As part of the institution's Long-Range Vision planning process, he collaborated with Debra Satz, the Dean of Humanities and Sciences, and other faculty members to develop programs designed to equip students with the essential skills necessary for sustaining a democratic society. His contributions were foundational in the establishment of COLLEGE 102: Citizenship in the 21st Century, a course that forms part of Stanford's first-year requirement program, Civic, Liberal, and Global Education (COLLEGE).

Instead of retreating into retirement, Ober has chosen to intensify his focus on promoting civics education. He has accepted a new role at the Hoover Institution, which is collaborating with the School of Humanities and Sciences to expand the Stanford Civics Initiative (SCI). This initiative aims to enhance civics education both at Stanford and beyond. The SCI operates within the Hoover Institution's Center for Revitalizing American Democracy, recently launching the national Alliance for Civics in the Academy (ACA), a membership organization dedicated to advancing civics programming at colleges and universities across the nation.

Moreover, Ober actively engages with various campus initiatives that share a common goal of fostering open dialogue, including ePluribus Stanford, a cross-campus initiative promoting a culture of constructive discussion.

Ober is driven by the belief that instilling civic courage in students is vital for empowering them to navigate a landscape marked by diverse beliefs and opinions. He articulates, "To be courageous is to expose yourself to risk, danger, maybe even harm. That doesn't mean you have to march off to war, as an Athenian citizen would, but it does mean that you should be willing to express a view that may be unpopular, that you open yourself to views that you might find really challenging and hard to accept. That takes real courage."