Though inequality remains a problem, the world is becoming more democratic politically. The shift toward democracy on the oligarchy-democracy spectrum didn't really start to take off until 1000 CE, and especially after the Industrial Revolution.
Below is a list of democratic milestones over the last 1000 years [1]. For this list, a reform is only considered a turning point if it affected a large number of people, or would later have long-lasting effects.
* 1000 CE. Merchant Republics of Italy. In these Italian city-states, merchants shared political and economic power. This system was a form of ruling oligarchy, but economic opportunities were more decentralized than any period before then. This early merchant-based democracy was also a nascent form of capitalism. It lasted a few centuries and contributed to the Renaissance and dominance of the Western world.
* 1215 CE. The Magna Carta is created in England. The charter set limits on the power of the king and aristocracy and established some human rights such as habeas corpus and the right to petition.
* 1265 CE. The first representative parliament is formed in England. It was soon disbanded but had long-lasting effects. It came back later.
* 1573 CE. Golden Liberty, also known as the Nobel's Democracy, is created in Poland. It had a parliament, senate, and king (with limited power), all of whom were elected. Every male noble—about 15% of the population—had equal rights and could vote. Religious freedom was also established, among other things. These rights did not extend to peasants or women.
* 1619 CE. House of Burgesses is established in Virginia in North America. It was a government of elected representatives. Only men could vote, and later, only men that owned property.
* 1620 CE. The Mayflower Compact is created in Plymouth Colony in North America. It established a limited male-only direct democracy.
* 1628 CE. The Petition of Right is added to the English Constitution. It made it illegal for the king to levy taxes without parliamentary approval, to implement martial law, arrest people without cause, and use the military to harass citizens.
* 1679 CE. The Habeas Corpus Act is passed. It formalized and strengthened the right of habeas corpus. No one could be imprisoned without good reason and without judicial review.
* 1682 CE. The Frame of Government of Pennsylvania is created. It established a government of democratically elected representatives (male only) and granted freedom of religion.
* 1689 CE. English Parliament passes the Bill of Rights of 1689. It further limits the power of the king, formalizes free elections of parliament members (male only), and permits freedom of speech for political matters. It also bans cruel and unusual punishment and gives citizens the right to bear arms.
* 1707 CE. First Prime Minster is elected, and Parliament gains more influence. England moves closer to becoming a full-fledged representative democracy.
* 1788 CE. The United States Constitution is ratified, establishing a representative democracy. Only white men that own land are allowed to vote.
* 1789 CE. The Declaration of the rights of Man and of the Citizen is created in France. It guarantees several human rights.
* 1791 CE. The United States Bill of Rights is ratified, guaranteeing several basic human rights.
* 1792 CE. All male citizens of France are given the right to vote regardless of wealth and property ownership. Though rescinded a few years later, it would have long-lasting effects.
* 1794 CE. Slavery is abolished in France, and blacks are given equal rights with whites. This law was rescinded a few years later, but it would have long lasting effects.
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Improving Our Standard of Living (Wattpad Edition)
SaggisticaThis book is about how to reduce poverty and improve global living standards. Topics include economic growth, income inequality, corruption, sustainable development, the future of technology, and much more. Below is a sample of questions answered th...
