The concept of democracy is not really newis an invention of modern civilization. It was noticed a long time ago that the principle of one-hundred-percent individual rule often brings society out of balance and cannot ensure its stability. The system of checks and balances in making decisions that determine the fate of a community of people, appeared, obviously, even before the birth of the most ancient developed civilizations.
Самым ранним и примитивным демократическим The institute was an ancient council of elders, consisting of respected members of the tribe. In their role were experienced old men, more successful miners and hunters, people who had authority among their fellow tribesmen for various reasons.
Decisions regarding the movement of a tribe,organization of clashes with rival communities, other important aspects of life were taken collectively. Each member of the council of elders expressed his opinion, argued it, and only after that, having listened to all the pros and cons, the head of the community made this or that decision.
In the Hellenic civilization
There are enough historical sources aboutactivities of such a body in ancient Sparta. For the Spartans, the council of elders is the body that participated in making state decisions on a par with the king. And already in those days, the opinion of the Council had the same weight as the opinion of the ruler.
В совещательный орган у спартанцев входили representatives of all administrative units in the amount of 28. Each of the elders was elected by his tribe by way of a general national assembly. The most important decisions in the state were made at a general meeting, but a list of questions that were submitted for its consideration was prepared by the council of elders. This guaranteed the productive work of the meeting, directing its work and not allowing it to turn into a farce.
In addition to organizing general assemblies, the councilparticipated in diplomatic work, influenced the establishment of relations with other states, and also investigated the crimes of the highest officials of the state. By the way, the meaning of the word “council of elders” in the case of Ancient Sparta has, one can say, the most direct meaning - only persons who have reached the age of 60 could become members of this body.
Council of Elders first in the history of the republic
In France, the council of elders existed as onefrom government. It was created at the very end of the 18th century, the third constitution. The members of the body were elected from among citizens of the country not younger than 40 years.
That was the French council of elders. This, by the way, was not a legislative body. He could only approve or reject the legislative initiatives of other higher authorities.
Slavs and Russian Empire
Our ancestors also have a council of elders — this is notonly a relic of the ancient communal system. The earliest manifestation of Slavic statehood was the power of princes. But the image of the king as cruel blasphemers with unlimited power is rather one of the historical horror stories and tales about the Russians.
На ранних этапах государственности князья possessed considerable power, but rather executive. They were invited to the princess, and for the improper performance of their duties they could “ask”, which often happened. The prince led the squad, was responsible for protecting the principality from external threats, administered the court. But the path of development was determined by popular assembly and the councils of elders.
At a later time in Russian history alsoThere has always been a certain analogue of the deliberative body, which at different periods had greater or lesser powers. It was during the reign of the first kings (the boyar duma) and even Soviet Russia was led by the Supreme Soviet.
Modernity
A collection of residents of a particular localityrespected, possessing great life experience, is a management body that has not lost its relevance even now. Such vitality is not difficult to explain. On the one hand, members of the council of elders are people who have seen life, on the other hand, decisions are made collectively after discussions. And this guarantees the prudence and forethought of fateful decisions.
Nowadays, the concept of "council of elders" is moreapplied in local government. This is especially common among the Caucasian peoples, where the worship of elders is elevated to the rank of a national idea. Even in our neighboring Belarus, there is an institution of local government with the same name. Tasks, they solved, lie in the plane of life of village councils and districts.
