What is the earliest democracy?

As an expert in historical political systems, I can provide an in-depth analysis of the concept of democracy and its earliest known form. The term "democracy," derived from the Greek words "demos" (people) and "kratos" (power or rule), signifies a system of governance where power is vested in the hands of the people. The earliest known democracy, often cited by historians, is the Athenian democracy that flourished in the ancient Greek city-state of Athens. The Athenian democracy was a direct democracy, which means that citizens had the right to participate directly in the decision-making process. This form of democracy was a radical departure from the monarchies and oligarchies that were prevalent in the ancient world. It was a system that allowed for a level of political participation and equality that was unprecedented at the time. The golden age of Athenian democracy is generally considered to be during the leadership of Pericles, a prominent and influential statesman, orator, and general of Athens. Under his guidance, which lasted from around 461 to 429 B.C., Athens saw a surge in artistic and cultural development, as well as the construction of significant architectural landmarks, such as the Parthenon. Pericles implemented reforms that expanded the rights of citizens and reduced the power of the aristocracy. One of the key reforms was the introduction of paying citizens for their participation in the political process. This allowed even the poorest citizens to take part in the governance of the city-state, as they could afford to take time off from their work. The heart of Athenian democracy was the Ecclesia, or the Assembly, which was open to all male citizens. The Assembly met regularly to make decisions on matters of war, peace, and domestic policy. Additionally, there were other institutions such as the Boule (Council of 500) that prepared the agenda for the Assembly and the Dikasteria (jury courts) where citizens served as judges. However, it is important to note that this early form of democracy was not without its limitations. Women, slaves, and foreigners were excluded from the democratic process. The citizenship was restricted to a small portion of the population, specifically adult male landowners. Despite these limitations, the Athenian model of democracy laid the groundwork for future democratic systems. It introduced the concept of civic responsibility and the idea that the people, not a single ruler or a small group of elites, should have a say in the governance of their society. The impact of Athenian democracy on the development of Western political thought cannot be overstated. It provided a blueprint for the concept of popular sovereignty and the importance of public participation in governance. The principles of openness, debate, and collective decision-making that were central to Athenian democracy continue to be core tenets of democratic societies today. In conclusion, while the Athenian democracy was not perfect by modern standards, it was the earliest known form of democracy that allowed a significant portion of the population to participate in the political process. It was a pioneering experiment in self-governance that has had a profound and lasting impact on the evolution of democratic systems worldwide.

The term democracy, which means --rule by the people,-- was coined by the Greeks of ancient Athens to describe their city-state's system of self-rule, which reached its golden age around 430 B.C. under the skilled orator and politician Pericles.Dec 2, 2014