The Council of Elders is the source of our democracy

The concept of democracy is not really new and is not the invention of modern civilization. It has long been noted that the principle of one hundred percent individual rule often leads society out of balance and can not ensure its sustainability. The system of checks and balances in making decisions that determine the fate of a particular community of people appeared, apparently, even before the birth of the most ancient developed civilizations.

The earliest and primitive democratic institution was the ancient council of elders, which consisted of respected members of the tribe. Their role was played by wise old men, more successful hunters and hunters, people who had authority among their fellow tribesmen for various reasons.

Decisions regarding the movement of the tribe, organization of clashes with competing communities, other important aspects of life were made collectively. Each member of the council of elders expressed his opinion, argued it and only after that, after listening to all the pros and cons, the head of the community took a decision.

In the Hellenic civilization

There are enough historical sources about the activity of such an organ 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.

The advisory body of the Spartans included representatives of all administrative units in the number of 28. Each of the elders was elected by their tribe through a general people's congress. The most important decisions in the state were taken at a general meeting, but a list of issues 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 the organization of general meetings, the council participated in diplomatic work, influenced the establishment of relations with other states, and also investigated the crimes of senior officials of the state. By the way, the meaning of the word "council of elders" in the case of Ancient Sparta has, it can be said, the most direct meaning: members of this body could only become persons who have reached the age of 60 years.

The Council of Elders was the first in the history of the republic

In France, the council of elders existed as one of the organs of state administration. It was created at the very end of the 18th century, the third by the constitution. Members of the body were elected from among citizens of the country not younger than 40 years.

This 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 administrative bodies.

Slavs and the Russian Empire

Our ancestors also have a council of elders - this is not only a relic of the ancient communal system. The earliest manifestation of Slavic statehood was the power of the princes. But the image of the kings as cruel tyrants with unlimited power is, rather, one of the historical horror stories and stories about Russians.

In the early stages of statehood, the princes had considerable power, but, rather, executive. They were invited to the princeling, and for improper performance of their duties they could "ask" what often happened. The prince led the squad, was responsible for protecting the principality from external threats, and executed the court. But the ways of development were determined by popular councils and councils of elders.

At a later time in Russian history there has always been a kind of analogue of the advisory body, in different periods possessing greater or lesser powers. This was during the reign of the first kings (boyar Duma), and even the Soviet Russia was led by the Supreme Council.

Modernity

The meeting of the inhabitants of a given locality, respected, possessing great life experience, is a management body that has not lost its relevance today. Such vitality is not difficult to explain. On the one hand, members of the Council of Elders - people who have seen life, on the other - decisions are taken collectively, after discussions. And this guarantees a balanced and thoughtful fateful decisions.

Nowadays the concept of "council of elders" is more used in local self-government. This is especially common among the Caucasian peoples, where the veneration of the elders is elevated to the rank of the national idea. Even in neighboring Belarus, there is an institution of local self-government with this name. The tasks it solves lie in the plane of life of village councils and districts.