Evolution of a Democracy

             As citizens of the United States, we are privileged to live in a democratic society. Though many people today feel that we are living in troubled times, history demonstrates today's turmoil is yet another phase which will serve to facilitate the evolution of world governments. It is important to understand how we have progressed to a democratic society in order to fully appreciate its benefits as well as anticipate the next step in its progression.
             We can correlate the origin of government to the emergence of cities, which most historians place around 5,000 years ago. Early societies revolved around agriculture, religion and technological advances. Most historians place the first early settlements between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in modern-day IraqAs the number of city-states increased, the level of conflict rose. Rulers began to claim divine sanction with regard to their leadership, while power and wealth distanced them from their subjects. Rulers expanded their power through conquests of neighboring territories. The first true empire emerges in Sumer, inspiring other rulers to emulate sovereign rule over acquired territories.
             Mesopotomian societies thrived under imperial systems of government until around 1200 B.C.E. Devastation resulted from numerous wars between imperial leaders in their quest to conquer greater territory. Aside from rulers' personal desires to gain power, religion materialized as a principle factor in initiating war. Imperial ideologies were cited as justification of aggression. The new empires were more unified and sophisticated, sustaining large armies. Citizens were required to demonstrate religious and political obedience as directed by the emperor.
             This imperialistic structured persevered until the rise of Greek and Roman civilizations. It is at this juncture that the ideas of democracy, equality, justice and freedom are introduced
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Evolution of a Democracy. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 06:05, March 28, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/91830.html