The development of democracy is first associated with which civilization?

The development of democracy is primarily associated with the ancient Greeks, specifically the city-state of Athens during the 5th century BCE. This is when the concept of democracy first materialized, allowing citizens to participate directly in decision-making processes regarding governance. Unlike earlier systems of governance, Athens introduced a form of direct democracy where free male citizens had the right to vote on legislation and executive decisions. This inclusive approach to civic participation laid the groundwork for democratic principles that would later influence political systems worldwide.

While other civilizations, such as the Romans, also contributed to concepts of governance with institutions like the republic and legal frameworks, their system was more representative and less direct than the Athenian model. The Egyptians and Mesopotamians had complex societies with various governance forms, including monarchies and theocracies, but these did not embody democratic principles in the same capacity as ancient Greece. Thus, the Greeks are most notably credited for pioneering democratic governance.