Democracy Timeline

"Early Democracy" 4000BC-27BC
Early democracy began in small societies, like city states. Discussions were held in public assemblies and decisions made by consensus. Participation in the democratic process was intense but numbers limited. Women, slaves and foreigners were excluded.
4000-2500BC - Mesopotamia (Iraq)
Evidence of early democracies established in self-sufficient, autonomousSumerian city-states, based on citizens' assemblies with presiding members and agreement by consensus.
508BC – Athens
The Athenians evolve a system of government based on "rule by the people" which they call democracy from the Greek for demos (people) and kratein (rule). All male citizens are members of the assembly and can vote, women and slaves are excluded.
510-27BC - Roman Italy
Nobles arerepresented in the Senate and commoners in the Assembly and governmental power is divided between them. The extent of the empire abroad, and conflict at home, leads to the decline of democracy in favour of strong dictators.
"Representative Democracy" 1215AD- mid-20th century
This period saw increased representation and freedom to vote within nation states. Political parties were born, competitiveelections and suffrage for women became more common. Increasingly, democracy was based on written laws, ensuring fixed terms and secret ballots.
1215 – England
Nobles force King John to sign the Magna Carta establishing written law as a higher power than the rights of the king. The transfer of some power from the king to the nobles introduces basic freedom and property rights to "free men".1248 – Mexico
The Aztecs ruled a vast empire from the Valley of Mexico using a system of government based on city-states paying tributes to the emperor. The emperor was chosen from a royal family by a high-ranking council of nobles which he had to consult before taking decisions.
1295 – England
Edward I adopts the idea of an elected body or "Model Parliament". It includes clergy and aristocracy,as well as representatives of boroughs and counties. A similar system was used by Simon de Montfort - but Edward is the first king to call a parliament.
1642-51 – England
Charles I attempts to arrest five MPs sparking a war between parliamentary and Royalist supporters. In 1649 Charles is beheaded and England becomes first a commonwealth and then a protectorate under Oliver Cromwell from 1653.The monarchy is restored in 1660.
1679 – England
Habeas Corpus Act is passed which enshrines in law the rights of the individual to legally challenge their imprisonment by the authorities.
1689 – England
The Bill of Rights legally establishes the civil and political rights that an English citizen living within a constitutional monarchy ought to have. The Tory faction, later the Conservatives,emerges in this period, heralding the birth of the party system.
1787 – US
The US constitution, arguably the oldest written democratic constitution, establishes a federal system of government. Separating the powers, of president, Congress and judiciary is intended to stop the abuse of power. Slaves and women cannot vote.

1789-99 – France
French Revolution, a period of political upheaval whichsees the removal of King Louis XVI who is later executed. Power is transferred from an absolute monarchy to a republic based on citizenship and the rights of the people, although women cannot vote.
1847 – Switzerland
A brief civil war leads to a national referendum, one of the first recorded uses in modern history, on a new federal constitution. Switzerland still holds more referendums than anyother country.
1856 – Australia
The first secret ballot is reportedly held in the former Australian colony, now state, of Tasmania on 7 February 1856. Ballot papers with the names of those standing are printed at public expense. Secret balloting subsequently spreads to other countries.
1867 – Britain
Second Reform Act virtually doubles the size of the electorate by increasing the number of...