Comparative Governmental Systems: Ancient and Modern

             Where does democracy come from' Why is the U.S. Constitution so
             where did the framers gain such foresight. These are some of the many
             students and future historians have asked when they consider the origins of
             civilization and how it is that our system is so enlightened. The truth is
             key features of both "democracy" and the Constitution have their origins in
             history. If we look at Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, and India, we
             traces of democratic thought that precipitated the rise of each of those
             but in all fairness, many of the critical threads of Western political
             catalyzed by the very birth of Western society in the classical
             Although it is commonly believed that democracy was a form of
             arose out of the period of the Enlightenment in Europe (1700's), the
             rule" or "people rule" is actually thousands of years old. The term,
             describe those regimes that came as close as possible to Aristotle's
             the many." "A government is democratic if all, or most, of its citizens
             in either holding office or making policy. In Aristotle's time - Greece in
             century BC - such a government was possible." (Peiser and Serber 316) Greek
             (also referred to as polis') such as Athens was small, and within it
             extended to all free adult male property holders. Slaves, women, and
             without property were excluded from participation in government. "In more
             the New England town meeting approximates the Aristotelian ideal. In such
             the adult citizens of a community gather once or twice a year to vote
             issues and expenditures of a town." (Wilson 6)
             Athens was a pluralistic society, which encouraged free expression,
             change. A well-rounded education was emphasized, the goal of which was a
             mind and sound body." (Ralph 159) The ideal Athenian citizen was educated,
             willing to be involved in the running of the city-state. Athens had a
             all citizens: native-born, free males over eighteen had the right...

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