• Rusty Shackleford@programming.dev
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      9 hours ago

      The argument is that they were a democratic republic.

      several popular assemblies of all free citizens, possessing the power to elect magistrates from the populace and pass laws; and a series of magistracies with varying types of civil and political authority.

      If you’re referring to direct democracy, I suppose we could consider the Athenian democracy, though I think there are other examples from different regions on the planet through antiquity.

      • blade_barrier@lemmy.ml
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        9 hours ago

        Popular assemblies composed of common citizens could maybe decide where to put a public toilet on a street. Most laws were passed by the senate (composed of aristocrats), and consuls/other top magistrates were appointed by the senate.

        • Rusty Shackleford@programming.dev
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          8 hours ago

          So you were there and knew everything about it?

          Look, Mr./Mrs. iAmATotallyReasonablePersonAndNotAnInsufferableCunt, are you going to provide some evidence of whatever point you’re trying to make, or should we do this tit-for-tat some more?

          Either way, no sweat. Happy to yell at the clouds with you until the heat-death of the universe.

          • blade_barrier@lemmy.ml
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            8 hours ago

            Will you provide any evidence for your claims? It’s not me who’s claiming Roman republic was a democratic state (lol). “popular assemblies composed of common citizens” lol, look up centuriate assembly and see how many votes common sitizens had in it (spoiler: 0.5% of total votes).

            • Rusty Shackleford@programming.dev
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              7 hours ago

              Evidence I was talking about were links to books about primary historical sources that I could read.

              If the Roman Republic, isn’t democratic enough for you, then, as I said, we could talk about the Athenians. Or perhaps the Iroquois League.

              But what was your point again? The merit and utility of a system of governance is measured by how long it lasts, or something to that effect?

              In your words,

              1. Democracy is shit.

              and,

              Demonstrably false.

              in response to (paraphrasing), “other systems of government other than democracy are worse.”

              So, educate me and everyone else, then. What are you talking about, and send some links to back up whatever that is.

              • blade_barrier@lemmy.ml
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                10 minutes ago

                If the Roman Republic, isn’t democratic enough for you, then, as I said, we could talk about the Athenians

                Athenian democracy existed for less than 200 years and Athens were a village with 10k population. Might as well just talk about US so that democracy doesn’t embarass itself.

                Or perhaps the Iroquois League.

                What about it?

                The merit and utility of a system of governance is measured by how long it lasts

                Yep.

                What are you talking about, and send some links to back up whatever that is.

                What’s not clear to you? You said it yourself: “>The merit and utility of a system of governance is measured by how long it lasts”. Let’s conduct a thought experiment. What’s better, your current government, or or new ideal government that has perfect conditions for its citizens, but only lasts for 1 day and then the state collapses?