What feature of the ancient Athenian and Roman governments evolved into a key feature of modern Western governments?
A.
concentration of government power
B.
separation of church and state
C.
civilian control of the military
D.
representative democracy
D. representative democracy
The correct answer is D. Representative democracy. The feature of the ancient Athenian and Roman governments that evolved into a key feature of modern Western governments is representative democracy. In both ancient Athens and Rome, citizens had a role in the decision-making process through assemblies or councils, and representatives were elected to make decisions on their behalf. This idea of citizens electing representatives to make decisions for them has been a fundamental aspect of modern Western governments.
The correct answer is D. representative democracy.
To understand why the feature of representative democracy evolved into a key feature of modern Western governments, let's break it down.
First, we need to understand what a representative democracy means. In a representative democracy, citizens elect representatives to make political decisions and govern on their behalf. This system ensures that power is distributed among elected officials who are accountable to the people, and it allows for the participation of citizens in decision-making through voting.
The ancient Athenian and Roman governments both had elements of democracy, but it's the Athenian system that is often cited as the origin of representative democracy. In Athens, citizens had the right to participate in the decision-making process directly through voting in the assembly. However, it's important to note that not all residents of Athens, including women, slaves, and foreigners, were considered citizens and therefore did not have a right to participate in the democratic process.
The idea of representative democracy evolved over time, adapting and incorporating various political theories and philosophies. In modern Western governments, representative democracy has become a linchpin feature because it provides a way for citizens to have a say in the decision-making process without requiring their direct participation in every decision.
By electing representatives, citizens transfer their power to those elected officials who then make decisions on their behalf, taking into consideration the needs and wishes of the people they represent. This system allows for a more efficient and practical way to govern large populations, ensuring that decisions are made with input from the citizens while also maintaining stability and continuity.
So, the feature of representative democracy, which originated in ancient Athens and Rome, has evolved into a key feature of modern Western governments because it enables the participation of citizens in decision-making through elected representatives, balancing the distribution of power and ensuring accountability.