Democracy and Industrialization
Democracy and Industrialization were both key factors in the development of western and non-western civilizations. These two forces of change were equally significant in their impacts on society. By exploring the distinctive characteristics of these two forces, it becomes very clear just how important each of them were to our world, both yesterday and today. Furthermore, after dissecting important information from primary and visual sources, I will explain how they illustrate this impact of change on society.
Democracy
The enforcement of democracy has been a significant issue in the organization of many societies over hundreds of years through out history. In order to understand the profound effects of democracy, one must first understand the meaning and history behind it. “The word comes from two Greek words: demos, meaning “the people", and kratein, meaning "to rule." These two words are joined together to form democracy, literally meaning to rule by the people” (Barr, E., Rankin, T. & Baird, J. 1999, History of Democracy). The Greeks were the creators of democracy. They formed this style of government because they desired to have a system that was a direct opposite form of government than a dictatorship. Because they were the creators of democracy, it is apparent that their form of government was the closest to a true democracy than any other society that has proceeded them thus far. “Their civilization was broken down into small city-states (never more than 10,000 citizens), and all the men voted on all issues of government. There were no representatives in the Greek system of government. Instead, they ruled themselves directly; each man was a life long member of the decision making body” (Barr, E., Rankin, T. & Baird, J. 1999, History of Democracy). This idea, that citizens should be involved in the decision making process of their own government, carried on to the Roman Empire as well, another non-western civilization. Its concepts
Democracy
The enforcement of democracy has been a significant issue in the organization of many societies over hundreds of years through out history. In order to understand the profound effects of democracy, one must first understand the meaning and history behind it. “The word comes from two Greek words: demos, meaning “the people", and kratein, meaning "to rule." These two words are joined together to form democracy, literally meaning to rule by the people” (Barr, E., Rankin, T. & Baird, J. 1999, History of Democracy). The Greeks were the creators of democracy. They formed this style of government because they desired to have a system that was a direct opposite form of government than a dictatorship. Because they were the creators of democracy, it is apparent that their form of government was the closest to a true democracy than any other society that has proceeded them thus far. “Their civilization was broken down into small city-states (never more than 10,000 citizens), and all the men voted on all issues of government. There were no representatives in the Greek system of government. Instead, they ruled themselves directly; each man was a life long member of the decision making body” (Barr, E., Rankin, T. & Baird, J. 1999, History of Democracy). This idea, that citizens should be involved in the decision making process of their own government, carried on to the Roman Empire as well, another non-western civilization. Its concepts
References: Barr, E., Rankin, T. & Baird, J. (1999). History of Democracy. Retrieved 10/10/07 from http://library.thinkquest.org/26466/history_of_democracy.html Backer, P. (unknown). The Cause of the Industrial Revolution. Retrieved 10/29/07 from http://www.engr.sjsu.edu/pabacker/causeIR.htm Industrialization. (2007). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved October 27, 2007, from Encyclopedia Britannica Online: http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9042374 Sherman, D. & others. (2006). World Civilizations: Sources, Images, and Interpretations (Fourth Edition). Boston: McGraw-Hill.