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126 | David Stasavage on the Origin and History of Democracy

Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas

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Governance Through Ages: From Indigenous Civilizations to Modern Systems

This chapter examines the historical governance models of indigenous civilizations in the Americas, such as the Olmecs, Aztecs, and Incas, while highlighting the impact of conquest on lost knowledge. It contrasts ancient democratic practices from Athens and the Roman Republic with various non-democratic and bureaucratic systems, especially in China. The discussion underscores the evolution of political structures, their implications for social mobility, and the continuing influence of these models on contemporary governance.

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