The question of when governments began is one that does not have a definitive answer. The concept of modern governments began emerging around 4,000 years ago, with the development of city-states in Mesopotamia and the ancient Egyptian empire. However, forms of government have existed even beyond the earliest civilizations. Exploring the history of the concept of government can help us gain a better understanding of how it reached its modern form today.
The Earliest Human Societies
Historians do not know exactly when the concept of government began. However, human societies were likely organized in some form even before there were written records. During this period, human societies likely had relatively informal systems of power. The oldest known recognizable civilizations all date back to around the same time, around 4,000 years ago.
The Ancient Egyptians
The ancient Egyptians are widely considered to have the first centralized government. The Egyptian Pharaohs established a hierarchy of power in which they held ultimate authority. This government was based around absolute rule, with the Pharaoh and their trusted advisors given immense powers. The Pharaoh also held the title of ‘living god’ and had control over virtually every aspect of ancient Egyptian life.
Mesopotamia
At roughly the same time, the city-states of Mesopotamia were forming. These states were based around powerful city centers, with smaller settlements surrounding them. Each city-state was ruled by a king and could independently sign treaties with other city-states. This system of government was extremely influential for the development of government, as it set the basis for many of the systems of government that would follow.
Greece and Rome
The civilizations of Ancient Greece and Rome are widely considered to have laid the foundations for the modern democratic systems of government. These civilizations adopted the concept of representative government, wherein citizens voted for representatives to represent them in government.
In Ancient Greece, democracy developed in the form of the Athenian City-State. This form of government saw citizens discuss and decide upon political matters through debate and voting, in the city’s assembly. The form of government developed by the Romans, however, was based around the rule of an emperor, and was centered around the emperor’s proclamations and laws.
The Middle Ages
The Middle Ages were a period of relative political stability, with some Kingdoms and Empires maintaining forms of government for hundreds of years. During this period, the foundations of many European countries were laid, along with much of the political structure that still exists today.
In Europe, the Catholic Church also played a large role in governing, as it controlled vast swathes of land and held incredible amounts of power. This allowed the Church to exercise a great amount of influence over political matters, particularly through its control of the appointment of Kings.
The Age of Enlightenment
The Age of Enlightenment played a major role in the development of government. During this period, the concept of representative government developed further and the roots of modern democracy were established.
In France, the French Revolution saw the people rise up against the monarchy to demand a form of democracy. This revolution set the precedent for modern democratic systems, such as the United States’ founding constitution.
The history of government is complex, and it is impossible to pinpoint exactly when the concept emerged. However, it is clear that the development of government played a crucial role in the development of humanity. As we have seen, modern government can trace its roots back to 4,000 years ago, when civilizations such as Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia first began forming. From there, the concept evolved over thousands of years, until the democratic systems that exist today were formed.