Was the idea of athenian democracy ideal or utopia?

It is democracy intended to be utopian, which is as impossible as perfection. Western society is still pursuing utopia, but it will never get there, nor will any other society. What makes a society great is a collective effort to get to a utopia, bettering the society each step it takes. No one can be perfect, still doesn't mean we don't try. Your best efforts, or society's best efforts are the closest they will get to perfection, or a utopia.