There were some crucial institutions established that were extremely necessary for constructing today’s society and government. For instance,election,constitution,or the separation of powers, these ensure democracy and equality within a country and its function as a righteous dominant position.These notion that created modern government were often brought out after enlightenment.However, it is quite astonishing to realize, those consideration of progressive institutions were already mention or practiced by the ancients.Modern society was established on the ruin of ancient, the notion from axial period. When contemporary people refer to the word “republic” as an advanced way to run the country, and praise the democracy and freedom it offered us. While we consider the United States as the origin of it, we cannot simply ignore that there was already a Republic country established two thousands ago, the Roman Republic.When we gave all the credits to the renaissance and enlightenment, and consider it as the basis of modern intellection,admittedly, the renaissance was essentially the rethink of Hellenic world, the word “renaissance ”means “rebirth” indicate the rebirth of Ancient Geek world. Among all the states, Sparta was quite well-known for its martial force and distinguishing society, the Spartan soldier could be one of the most significant figures in Ancient History.Meanwhile it is quite mysterio due to lack of own historical content. However,Sparta was more than a warlike, brutal nation, based on Xenophon’s recording we can have a glimpse of its advanced institutions. One of the most relevant to today's societyOne of the most relevant to today's society was its system of separation of powers. The decentralization of power among the ruling classes ensured the stability of Spartan society.
The modern notion of separation of powers was first mentioned by the British enlightenment philosopher,John Locke, in his book,Two Treatises of Government.Which was later adopted by French philosopher,Montesquieu,who brings out the model of trias politica.However,nevertheless its origins can be traced back to ancient Greek times, proposed by Aristotle. Aristotle believed that the state should have the general assembly, the public officials, and the judiciary, each restricting the other. Such a theory was originally put forward to prevent the emergence of dictators.However it is proved that this separation of power was relatively effective to prevent dictatorship, and It is proved that it was rather effective.
Take a look at the United States’ constitution. The constitutional division of power is exactly the same as Aristotle's proposition. The Constitution gives Congress(general assembly) legislative power, gives the President(the public officer) executive power,and gives the Supreme Court(Judictary) Judicial power. Such a system is the guarantee behind the United States’s prosperity. Especially for the independence of Judiciary, that ensured justice within the country.As the world's superpower for centuries, the United States has not produced any dictator. The prosperity of the United States today speaks for itself that it is sufficient to justify the effectiveness of power separation. A similar separation of powers is taking place in major country in the world, not just for the United States.It proof that The rational division of rights can indeed create a relatively stable social system.
Not exactly the same as Aristotle’s separation of powers, The Roman Republic also dominated the state with the separation of the three powers , and that established the foundation for their prosperity. Roman’s separation of power was relatively primitive. Roman Republic government consisted of a consul, an aristocratic assembly , and civilian representatives.The problem was that these forces were not mutually exclusive, and an assembly that consists of aristocrats was bound to enjoy more power than civilian representatives.However,there was one state prior to the Roman Republic that already practiced the separation of powers, and the purpose of their institution was created to achieve mutual suppression.That was Sparta.
Sparta's political institutions were relatively unique and peculiar. Unlike any of its adjoining city-states,they were ruled by Diarchy,two kings rule in parallel. Same as the Roman Republic and the United States, Sparta's government consisted of three separate parts.Kings, Ephors,and Gerousia. The two Kings were hereditary,but that does not make them absolute. Ephors, an elected five-member council, take one year in a term, sharing in the power to contain Kings.They were likely for the poor house.If majority of them consider a king unfit to his position, they could put him on trial. The outcome of the trial could even lead from fine to exile dependents on how severe the case was.Ephors hold the power of legislation. However,Ephors were restricted by their successors if they thought that their predecessor had acted unjustly on his position.The predecessor would likewise face the trial. The last defense of the institution was Gerousia, a council of thirty elders including two kings,unlike Ephors they held by life. Calling them last defenders due their held the final decision of proving the law, although a law had been approved by the Ephors and People, Gerousias have the power of veto to decide whether the law was approved or not. In the trial, all three groups will join together to form a thirty-five jury,because of Gerousias outnumbered, it held significant influence in political life. As we may interpret from the provinging information. The Sparta form of institutions shared a lot of similarities with Roman Republic. However,it is rather difficult to characterize the Spartan system with a political system,It includes oligarchy, monarchy, and to a certain extent republic.
As archaeology and research continue to advance, modern people have more ways to find out what the ancient world was like and marvel at it. The advance of ancient people in many technologies and systems greatly exceeded the expectations of modern people. The advancement of the Spartan and Roman’s constitution constantly reminds us that human’s exploration and development are not limited to the future. Perhaps in the past our ancestors have already found the answers we are seeking.
Bibliography
Locke, John, and Peter Laslett. 1988. Two treatises of government. Cambridge
[England]: Cambridge University Press.
Ervin, Sam J. "Separation of Powers: Judicial Independence." Law and
Contemporary Problems 35, no. 1 (1970): 108-27. Accessed November 27, 2020. doi:10.2307/1191032.
Aristotle, and William Ellis. 1935. A treatise on government: or, The Politics of
Aristotle. London: J.M. Dent.
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