How did Socrates help form democracy?

Socrates played a crucial role in shaping democratic thought through his method of dialectical questioning, which encouraged critical thinking and self-examination among citizens. By challenging established norms and promoting the idea that knowledge and virtue are essential for a just society, he laid the groundwork for democratic ideals. His emphasis on individual moral responsibility and the importance of civic engagement influenced later philosophers and democratic theorists. Although Socrates himself did not support democracy in practice, his teachings inspired the values that underpin democratic governance.