ancient civilizations of the East were located in the southern part of Asia and northern Africa.These include Babylon, Assyria, Iran, Phoenicia, Ancient China, Urartu, Egypt, India and ancient Hittite state.
Oriental despotism - the main feature that characterizes the political system of these countries.This term means the unlimited power of the president.
reason that formed the eastern despotism, is that in ancient countries remained long enough land commune and the private ownership of land for a long time did not receive development.Thus, the rural community became the basis of the state order.In addition, the emergence of this system contributed to the traditional rules, which could not disturb the village communities.For example, in Egypt, the value of despotic power was reinforced by the need to build irrigation works, without which it is impossible to engage in agriculture.If the people would refuse such a political system, public authorities could destroy important elements of the platinum, and the population would be left without water, and therefore began to mass death.
In addition, the eastern despotism was based on the divine dignity of their rulers.For example, in Egypt, the pharaoh had complete control over the legislature, the judiciary and the military.No one could resist his decision becauseit was believed that he mediator between humans and gods.The state is also the head of Drevneshumerskom was a higher power.He admitted a priest, so his orders were executed without question.In India, despotism was characterized as a complete arbitrariness of the ruling monarch.Here, however, the governor was not a priest.All his power was based on the teachings of the Brahmins.
In ancient China, the ruler was not only a priest but also a "son of heaven."
Oriental despotism had characteristic features:
1) The predominance of the state over society in an absolute degree.The State is considered to be the highest power that stands above man.It regulates all activities and relationships of people, not only in society but also in the family.The head of state forms tastes, social ideals, may at any time appoint and depose officials beskontrolen, commands the army.
2) policy enforcement.The main task that faced the state - fear mongering for each resident.Wards should tremble and believe in the fact that the ruler of the country - is not a tyrant, and the defender of the people, prevailing at each stage of power, arbitrariness and punishing evil.
3) State ownership of land.All it belonged only to the state, no individual had freedom in the economic plan.
4) Socio-hierarchical structure.It resembles a pyramid.At the top was the governor, and then the state bureaucracy, farmers, commoners and the lower stage owned by the people.
5) Each civilization of the ancient East had organized apparatus of power.It consisted of three departments: the financial, the public and the military.Before each had posed a particular challenge.The Finance Ministry has sought funds for the maintenance of the administrative apparatus and the army, the public was engaged in construction work, the creation of roads, military - the supply of foreign slaves.
worth noting that despotism was not only negative.State, even in this Stroe gave some reassurance to the population, though not in equal measure.Laws to control the relationship between the population, laid penalties for actions.Thus, began to form a civilized society of the modern type.
