The state and the government, for obvious reasons, perform similar functions. The major functions of the state are as follows: - Maintenance of Law and Order

Deliberative Democracy | The democratic system began its journey 2,500 years ago in the polis of Athens. Athenian citizens met in assemblies to propose laws collectively and with this mechanism the polis was governed by the will of the people. The Athenian experience was an exception and, in fact, it was not until the French Revolution in 1789 that democracy began a new course.