[Sun] What impact did the reform of Rome's electoral system have on Italian administration?
In the early period of ancient Rome, it was roughly divided into three eras, namely the dynastic era, the king era, and the citizen era. Simply put, the citizens were made up of their Roman commoners and nobles. The era of kings was a royal nobleman represented by the royal family.
Its main task is to elect government administrators headed by the king and head of the court through the right to vote and to be elected. The task of the dynastic era was mainly to choose the executive power to make policy through the system of citizen elections, funded by the Republic.
However, the royal family is generally governed exclusively by its senate, but has no right to vote, and only citizens can exercise the right to decide. The Senate in ancient Rome was not a specific system of official positions, which did not require direct citizen participation, but directly administered the institution of the royal family, which was a lifelong system.
Successive dynasties were elected, whether they were kings or commoners. However, before the 10th century, all the methods and experiences of elections were based on speculation, and at the same time, many mature codes and experiences, laws and regulations were used to clearly improve, and there was no fundamental election method.
The election of the king is generally carried out from the highest to the lowest. The princes and nobles who had the votes in hand also generally regarded their kings as physical and gave preference to immediate relatives composed of blood ties, which was not the same as in other feudal countries in Europe.
In England, for example, descent is a very important qualification for inheritance. On the contrary, the princes and nobles value the personal charm and ability of the king candidate. Of course, the election of the king is still mixed with many political considerations and economic foundations.
There are also some candidates with votes, most of whom are the main representatives of the more powerful families in the empire, and those who have a close relationship with the king to a certain extent, can become candidates, and the palace ministers must also be excluded here.
Therefore, in the election of the king, it is the most unfair symbol relative to the city. It is not so much an election as a check and balance of power during the Roman Republic and the Empire.
The Roman electoral system played an important role in shaping the governance and administration of Italy. Rome's electoral system revolved around the cursus honorum, a hierarchical ladder of political positions that individuals had to ascend gradually.
These positions include Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive, Chancellor and Consul, each with specific responsibilities and qualifications. The electorate in Rome consisted of different popular assemblies, such as the Assembly of the Hundred and the Assemblies of the Tribes.
These councils were organized according to social and economic divisions, with citizens divided into centuries and tribes, respectively. The Roman Senate, composed of nobles and influential commoners, played a key role in the electoral process.
Although not directly elected, the Senate has considerable influence over political appointments and decision-making. The Congress of 100 is the main legislative body and the Elective Assembly. Its voting system favors wealthy and influential citizens because the richest centuries (classes) have more votes.
Tribal councils are more inclusive because voting is based on territorial division rather than wealth. However, parliaments have relatively limited powers, and their influence varies from time to time. Rome's electoral system allowed for regional representation by allocating seats in parliament.
Different regions, such as Rome, the Italian peninsula and eventually the provinces, have varying degrees of representation, allowing for wider participation in the political process. Rome's electoral system initially favored the aristocracy, including nobles and wealthy landowners.
The upper classes had greater influence at the Congress of Centurions, allowing them to gain political status and maintain control over power. Over time, Rome's electoral system underwent reforms, increasing the participation and representation of the common people.
The establishment of civilian offices, such as civilian tribunes, enables civilians to express their concerns and challenge patriarchal dominance. The electoral system also provided opportunities for the political elite and grooms (wealthy non-aristocratic citizens) to come to power.
Their wealth and influence enabled them to navigate the system and gain political status, contributing to the administration of Italy. Rome's electoral system determined the choice of officials responsible for managing different regions and governance.
These officials, such as governors and administrators, are elected through various assemblies and have specific responsibilities, including taxation, justice and public works. As Roman territory expanded, the electoral system played a key role in appointing prefects to govern the provinces.
This system allowed for the effective administration of the conquered territories and ensured centralized control over areas outside Italy. The electoral system provided a system of checks and balances for the Roman government. Multiple positions, term limits and rotation of powers help prevent the concentration of power and also contribute to administrative efficiency.
