Does America have the oldest government on Earth?

RoloMather

Golden Member
Sep 23, 2008
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Oldest unchanged government.

Thoughts?

All the governments of all the counties on earth have been changed in the last 200 years. Before you go and try to argue this point lets go over a few examples.

The entire continent of Africa, All countries in Africa today sprung up from the remains of colonial governments from the 19th century. (One down)
Australia (former British colony) 19th century (two down)

Almost all countries in eastern Asia (the Arab states) British colonial governments (mid 20th century)

Europe:
Germany new government 1947
Italy new government 1943 (and about 50 more times between then and now)
Spain 1980's (Monarchy was replaced)
England (Parliamentary government in 19th century) no longer a real monarchy
France (are they a country?) Just kidding French revolution 18th century (after the American Revolution)
China 1949 when the communist took over
All of Eastern Europe 1980's after communism collapsed
 
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Snapster

Diamond Member
Oct 14, 2001
3,916
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Technically it would be Antarctica which has had the same government of none. For a really long time >200 years in fact.

Technically wouldn't it have to exist to actually be called a government, no policy, no one governing...
 

EagleKeeper

Discussion Club Moderator<br>Elite Member
Staff member
Oct 30, 2000
42,589
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Central & Southern Europe does not equal Northern Europe.
Then you have the Vatican
 

SlitheryDee

Lifer
Feb 2, 2005
17,252
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Close to it, and I'm beginning to think that's bad. Governments seem to need a revolution every now and then to cut away the fat lest they collapse under their own monstrous weight.
 

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
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France (are they a country?) Just kidding French revolution 18th century (after the American Revolution)

France has changed governments twelve more times since the French Revolution. They're on their fifth republic - they just keep surrendering.

French First Republic (1792–1804)
First French Empire (1804–1814, 1815)
Kingdom of France (Bourbon) (1814-1815, 1815-1830)
Kingdom of the French (1830-1848)
French Second Republic (1848–1852)
Second French Empire (1852–1870)
French Third Republic (1870–1940)
French State (Vichy France) (1940-1944)
Provisional Government of the French Republic (1944-1946)
French Fourth Republic (1946–1958)
French Fifth Republic (1958-present)
 

acheron

Diamond Member
May 27, 2008
3,171
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I'm not just saying San Marino, that's actually the answer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Marino

"San Marino is the oldest recorded sovereign state and constitutional republic in the world, having been founded on 3 September 301 by stonecutter Marinus of Rab." and "The constitution of San Marino, enacted in 1600, is the world's oldest constitution still in effect."
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
99,618
17,646
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I'm not just saying San Marino, that's actually the answer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Marino

"San Marino is the oldest recorded sovereign state and constitutional republic in the world, having been founded on 3 September 301 by stonecutter Marinus of Rab." and "The constitution of San Marino, enacted in 1600, is the world's oldest constitution still in effect."

So that is where the Stone Cutters came from.
 

techs

Lifer
Sep 26, 2000
28,559
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Actually, I think the op is talking about the longest of our type.
I forget the term for it, but the system where you have a government with a popularly elected President and a Legislature.

In fact, our type of government has proven to be a failure in every other place it has been tried, long term.

Many people, like myself, are very worried the new monolithic parties in American, added to the change in the spirit of compromise, is exactly the reason other governments like ours have failed, and we are nearing a precipice.