Omar Bennett
The first constitution and democracy is a topic of much debate. The ancient Greeks of Athens are credited with coining the term democracy, which means 'rule by the people', and the concept of a constitution as a form of government. However, it is likely that other groups of people had adopted similar systems of government before the ancient Greeks. For example, some places in India have traditions of local democracy that claim earlier origins. The American Constitution was the first complete written national constitution, but it was not the first constitution of a general government or the first written constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Direct democracy | Power was held by the citizens |
| All citizens were equal before the law | |
| Decisions were made by the citizens themselves | |
| Paid juries | Jurors were chosen by lot from the citizen population |
| Jurors were paid for their service | |
| Jurors decided legal cases | |
| Ten elected generals | Responsible for carrying on the work of the Assembly and Council |
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What You'll Learn
Popular sovereignty
The concept of democracy and constitution as a form of government originated in ancient Athens in the sixth century BC (circa 508 BC). 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. Athenian democracy lasted for two centuries, but the idea of this type of government lived on and many countries today are democracies to a certain degree.
The American Constitution was the first complete written national constitution. However, it was neither the first constitution of a general government nor the first written constitution. A number of governments, starting with the Greek city-states, had customary or partially written constitutions.
The idea of popular sovereignty was central to the development of constitutional democracy. It recognises that the people are the ultimate source of power and authority in a nation, and that the government exists to serve and protect the rights and interests of its citizens. This principle is enshrined in the constitutions of many democratic countries, including the United States, where the Constitution begins with the words "We the People", recognising that the government derives its power from the people.
In a constitutional democracy, popular sovereignty is balanced with other principles, such as the rule of law and the protection of individual rights, to ensure that the power of the majority does not infringe on the rights of minorities or undermine the stability and integrity of the state.
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Freedom of conscience and expression
The first democracy, and the first country to have a constitution, was ancient Athens. Athenian democracy lasted for two centuries, from 508 or 507 BC.
However, Athenian democracy did allow for a greater degree of freedom of conscience and expression than other forms of government at the time. The Athenian system of self-rule was based on the idea of "rule by the people", in contrast to governance by elites, one person, or tyrants. This meant that citizens had the right to participate in the political process and express their views, within certain limits.
The Athenian democracy was a direct democracy, which meant that citizens had a direct say in the laws and policies that governed them. This was made possible by the fact that Athens was a city-state, with a relatively small population. Citizens would gather in the *agora*, or assembly, to debate and vote on important issues. This allowed for a high degree of freedom of expression, as citizens could speak their minds and try to persuade others to their point of view.
However, it is important to note that Athenian democracy was not without its flaws and limitations. While it allowed for a greater degree of freedom of conscience and expression than other forms of government at the time, it was still a far cry from the universal freedoms that we associate with democracy today.
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Justice
The first constitutional democracy was established in Athens, Greece in 507 BCE. Athenian democracy lasted for two centuries, but the idea of this type of government lived on and many countries today are democracies to a certain degree.
Athens was a city-state with a system of self-rule. The term democracy, which means 'rule by the people', was coined by the ancient Athenians to describe their system of governance. However, it is important to note that large portions of Athenian society, most notably women and slaves, were excluded from participating in this democratic process.
The Athenian democracy was based on the idea of citizen rule, in contrast to governance by elites, such as aristocracy or monarchy. The citizens of Athens had the power to make decisions and create laws that affected their city-state. This was a significant departure from the traditional forms of government, where power was typically concentrated in the hands of a small group of individuals or a single ruler.
The Athenian democracy was also characterised by its emphasis on freedom of speech and assembly. The Athenians believed that open discussion and debate were essential for making informed decisions and creating just laws. They encouraged citizens to participate in public meetings, where they could voice their opinions and influence the direction of the city-state.
While the Athenian democracy was a groundbreaking development in the history of governance, it was not without its flaws. As mentioned earlier, the exclusion of women and slaves from the democratic process was a significant limitation. Additionally, the Athenian democracy was based on the idea of citizenship, which meant that only those who met certain criteria, such as property ownership, were considered full citizens and had the right to participate in the democratic process. This excluded a large portion of the population, including foreigners and those who did not meet the citizenship requirements.
Despite its limitations, the Athenian democracy set a precedent for future democratic governments and remains an important example of the power of citizen rule and the potential for a more just and equitable society.
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Checks and balances
The first democracy and the first to develop a constitution was Athens in Greece. Athenian democracy lasted for two centuries, but the idea of this type of government lived on and many countries today are democracies to a certain degree.
The Athenian system of government was based on the concept of "rule by the demos", or citizen body, in contrast to governance by elites, one person, or tyrants. While large portions of Athenian society, including women and slaves, could not participate in the democratic process, the system nonetheless represented a significant advancement toward self-rule for the citizen body.
The Athenian constitution, which served as the foundation for the democratic system, was a customary or partially written document. It established a system of checks and balances that aimed to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of a single individual or group. This was achieved through a variety of mechanisms, including the separation of powers, the establishment of different branches of government with specific responsibilities, and the creation of a legislative body with limited power.
The Athenian constitution also emphasised the importance of public participation and debate in the decision-making process. The assembly, or *ekklesia*, was the primary forum for political discussion and decision-making. All male citizens were eligible to participate in the *ekklesia*, which met regularly to debate and vote on a range of issues, from foreign policy to the allocation of public funds. This assembly played a crucial role in holding the government accountable and ensuring that the interests of the citizen body were represented.
In addition to the assembly, the Athenian constitution also established other institutions to further promote checks and balances within the system. For example, the *boule*, or council, was a body of 500 citizens chosen by lot to serve one-year terms. The *boule* was responsible for preparing the agenda for the assembly, as well as overseeing the administration of the city and managing the finances. This institution provided a further layer of oversight and accountability, helping to ensure that the government remained responsive to the needs and concerns of the citizen body.
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The three branches of government
Democracy, or 'rule by the people', was first developed in ancient Athens in the sixth century BC (circa 508 BC). The Athenians were not necessarily the first group of people to adopt such a system, but because they named it, they are often credited as being the first democracy. Athenian democracy lasted for two centuries, but the idea of this type of government lived on.
The American Constitution was the first complete written national constitution, but it was not the first constitution of a general government, nor was it the first written constitution. Many governments, starting with the Greek city-states, had customary or partially written constitutions.
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Frequently asked questions
The first democracy, or 'rule by the people', was developed in Athens, Greece in 507 BCE.
Athenian democracy lasted for two centuries.
The first full democracy in the Middle East was Israel, which declared independence in 1948.
The first complete written national constitution was the American Constitution.
A constitutional republic is a form of government in which the head of state is elected by the people, whereas in a constitutional monarchy the head of state is a monarch who usually inherits their position.
