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Athens to Rome: 7 OLDEST democracies in the World

The concept of democracy has ancient origins, with oldest examples laying groundwork for today's systems. These early democracies have significantly influenced modern governance

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Ancient Athens

Ancient Athens is widely recognized as the birthplace of democracy around the 5th century BCE. The Athenian system allowed free male citizens to participate in decision-making

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Roman Republic

The Roman Republic, established in 509 BCE, introduced a mixed system combining elements of democracy, oligarchy, and monarchy

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Iceland’s Althing

Founded in 930 CE, Iceland’s Althing is one of the world’s oldest continuous parliaments. This early assembly allowed free men to debate laws and issues

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Isle of Man’s Tynwald

The Tynwald, established in 979 CE on the Isle of Man, is the oldest continuous parliament in the world. Its sessions were initially held outdoors

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Switzerland’s Landsgemeinde

Switzerland’s Landsgemeinde, dating back to the 13th century, is a traditional form of direct democracy where citizens assemble annually to vote on laws and policies

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England’s Parliament

England’s Parliament, established in the 13th century, evolved from advisory councils into a bicameral legislative body. The Magna Carta of 1215 played a crucial role

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United States of America

Founded in 1787, the United States of America is one of the oldest modern democracies. The U.S. Constitution established a federal system with checks and balances

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