Classes

During the Roman republic citizens voted for their representatives based on a class system. For the top jobs of consul, praetor and censor the Roman’s voted in blocks based on wealth and status. The first class consisted of the wealthiest citizens who formed the senate, they always voted first. Together with the equestrian class these men held more votes that the second, third, fourth, fifth and proletariat (head count) classes combined.

On voting day the rich and powerful stood at the front of the line talking about how rich and powerful they were, presumably people said things like ‘first class over here’ or ‘priority citizens are welcome first’. Then the senators walked up and exercised their privilege while everyone else (as long as they were male and a citizen) stood around in the heat waiting for their turn. The votes were announced progressively and often the results were decided before anyone in would the lower classes even got their vote.

I wonder how much different the situation is now? Western democracies don’t vote in sequential classes anymore, however money still seems to be a critical element of success. How far have we come from the Roman version of democracy and power?