About 2,500 ago, Athenian democracy (Demokratia) created a golden age, the forerunner of all western civilizations. Citizens could propose Initiatives (Probouleumata) from which 500 randomly selected Citizens (Council of 500 or Boule) chose the legislation upon which all the Citizens (Ecclesia) could vote directly. Random selection, large size, and part-time one-year tenure makes this system virtually incorruptible. (brief overview of Athenian Democracy, Courtesy © stoa.org)
Athens became the richest nation of its time time.