Who developed Democracy.
I have read about it and it is not possible to pinpoint as
it is the system that has undergone several trials and I would say it is still
under the development.
Basically Democracy, in its various forms, has evolved over
time and has been influenced by many cultures and civilizations. We can
highlight some key milestones and figures in the development of democratic
systems as far as I could get from the internet sources. First we could explore
the cultures and civilisations:
- Ancient Mesopotamia (circa 2500 BCE): The
Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians practiced forms of democracy, such as
electing representatives and holding public assemblies.
- Ancient Greece (circa 500 BCE): Athens, under the
leadership of Solon, Cleisthenes, and Pericles, developed a system of direct
democracy, where citizens participated directly in governance through
assemblies and juries.
- Ancient Rome (circa 509 BCE): The Roman Republic
established a system of representative democracy, with elected representatives
(tribunes) and a mixed constitution (combining elements of monarchy,
aristocracy, and democracy).
Some influential figures in the development of democracy
include:
1. Solon (c. 638-558 BCE): An Athenian statesman and
lawgiver who introduced democratic reforms, such as the creation of a citizen's
assembly. He is a lawmaker, political philosopher and poet too. He introduced
more humane law in place of wealthy control.
2. Cleisthenes (c. 570-507 BCE): An Athenian
statesman who introduced the concept of isonomia (equality before the law) and
established the Athenian democracy, banning patronymics in favor of Athenian
democracy.
3. Pericles (c. 495-429 BCE): An Athenian statesman
who expanded democracy in Athens, introducing payment for public office and
increasing citizen participation. His construction of Parthenon and importance
to Navy is notable achievements too.
4. Aristotle (384-322 BCE): A Greek philosopher who
wrote extensively on politics and governance, influencing Western democratic
thought. Aristotle classifies democracy as a deviant constitution (albeit the
best of a bad lot), he argues that a case might be made for popular rule, a
discussion which has attracted the attention of modern democratic theorists.
The central claim is that the many may turn out to be better than the virtuous
few when they come together, even though the many may be inferior when
considered individually. For if each individual has a portion of virtue and
practical wisdom, they may pool these moral assets and turn out to be better
rulers than even a very wise individual.
These individuals, along with many others overtime, have
contributed to the evolution of democratic systems.
Would be great to hear your views. I loved reading Aristotle ideas. Whats your take?
