Individual achievement, dignity, and worth are of great importance.-athens created the first form of democracy, which is a form of government that emphasizes the importance of individual opinions and values. athenian society believed that individuals had a responsibility to the state, and as such, should be involved in the political aspects of that society. by emphasizing the importance of the individual, athenians felt more responsible and thus, were more involved when it came to the day-to-day functioning of their community. today, western political thought is shaped around this emphasis on the rights and responsibilities of the individual.