Where do the seeds of democracy first appear in Daniel's political progression?
In Daniel’s political progression, the seeds of democracy first appear with the Roman Empire. Although commonly thought to be governed by Caesars, it functioned as a republic, depending on its senate and representatives. This marks the shift from an absolute ruler to consensus of two, four, and then many.
Les explains that the political flow starts with absolute power of one, then moves to a consensus of two, then a consensus of four. From there it comes to the Roman Empire, the next great empire. Even though Rome is normally thought of as governed by the Caesars, Les says it was in reality a republic, depending on its senate and representatives. At that point he identifies the seeds of democracy in its infancy, as politics moves from an absolute to a consensus of two, four, and many. He then notes Rome’s division into East and West, with the East capitalized in Constantinople and the West remaining at Rome, pictured by the feet and toes of part clay and part iron—partly strong and partly broken, with no real strength. The Roman Empire passed off the scene between 300 and 400 A.D.