<aside> 💡 From this lesson, you must know…
This lesson provides an overview of political development throughout history, from small tribes to the formation of modern states. It covers the development of government in response to the need for protection and law and order, the evolution of democracy, and the differing views on government and the role of the sovereign. The document also discusses the increasing complexity of the state's economic management and the need for governments to remain flexible and responsive to changing economic conditions.
Communities were small tribes, consisting of no more than a couple of families.
There was no need for complex government as communities were small.
In the early eras of political development, power was concentrated in wealthy, successful, large families.
Government came from the need to protect people from conflict and provide law and order.
The need to mobilize resources and people for war has led to the creation of strong centralized governments.
City-states – small independent cities – became the dominant political unit.
In Athens, direct democracy developed.
Direct democracy is a type of government in which every citizen has a say in the decisions that are made. In ancient Athens, all eligible citizens could attend meetings, discuss issues, and vote on laws and policies. This meant that everyone had an equal say in how the city was run, regardless of their social status or wealth. Direct democracy is different from representative democracy, which is the type of democracy used in most modern countries. In representative democracy, citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
Philosophers and revolutions defined politics and government. They asked questions such as: What defines the citizen’s role in the state? What responsibility does the state have to its citizens?