Democracy has been around for almost 2500 years since Athens, Greece became the first democracy. The Romans also experimented with democracy, however it was more a republic, and not a democracy. Around 1200 England laid the groundwork to become a republic. Later, in the 1700's, United States of America, became a democracy.

There are many features of democracy. Most of these features are the same, but individual countries use varations of the main ideas. The main feature of democracy, which determines a true democracy, is free, competitive elections. Sometimes women or minorities don't have the right to vote. Some of these other features, such as checks on power, help to limit the strength of any one person or party. Other features like free elections, and majority/ minority rule, help to make elections fair, since the judgment of many people is generally be

In the middle ages Christianity tought people that they not only were citizens of the earth, but they were also members of Gods kingdom. Since people were tought that they were citizens of both, nobody could be expected to be totally loyal to their country and be totally loyal to their religion. During the middle ages, in most of Europe, people lived under a feudal system. Under feudalism, people pledged their skils and loyalty to other people in exchange for land, food, and protection. Another idea feudalism supported was that individuals had certain rights and privileges. During the middle ages, the Magna Carta was signed by King John in England. This document has become a very important symbol of human freedom and liberty. It was used to support demands for trials with juries, it protected people from unlawful arrests, and it made the policy of no taxation without representation. During the next several hundred years, English democracy changed slowly. In 1628 Parliament passed the Petition of Right, this petition told King Charles I to stop collecting taxes without the consent of Parliament. This petition let Parliament meet at regular intervals. When King Charles refused to agree to this petition a civil war broke out fought between the Puritans, led by Oliver Cromwell, and the followers of the king. When the followers of the king were defeated, King Charles I was beheaded. The Revolution of 1688 established the supremacy of Parliament and John Locke, a philosopher of the revolution stated the power should belong to the people. In 1689 Parliament passed the Bill of Rights, which assured people many basic civil rights. He also stated that the government was there for protecting the peoples liberties, property, and lives. In 1689 Parliament passed the Bill of Rights, which assured people many basic civil rights.

Today many types of governments claim to be democratic. Communism governments are known as "peoples democracies." These are not considered "true" democracies by many people, because they limit the rights of many people. The reason many people don't consider these governments true democracies is because they limit freedom of expression, and competitive elections.

One of the earliest known democracies was in Athens, a city-state in southern, ancient Greece. Around 620BC, Athens became the first true democracy. In Athens the ruler Draco tried to make many reforms in the city

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